Bitter melon requires heat and moisture to grow well. Plant in full sun and water frequently and thoroughly. Grow on a trellis or fence to give good air circulation and keep the fruit off the ground.
It can take up to 2 months from seed for bitter melon to flower and fruit under ideal conditions.
In cooler climates flowers may need hand pollination for fruit set.
Can be sown in pots and later transplanted. Prepare soil with compost and animal manure. Needs a freely draining soil.
Ensure that temperatures are mild and all chance of frost has passed before planting out, as Bitter Melon is a tender plant.When pods turn yellow they mature and ready for harvest. Young green pods may be harvested for sweeter, or more correctly, less bitter, fruit.
Mature yellow pods frequently split open revealing a red pulp surrounding seeds.
NOTE: THE SEEDS ARE POISONOUS AND MUST NOT BE EATEN.
Remove seeds from pulp, allow to dry before storage to prevent mould or rotting.
These estimates for how long Bitter Melon takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.
Average days | Min days | Max days (0)
Average days | Min days | Max days (0)
Average 60 days | Min days | Max days (0)
Bitter Gourd, Bitter Squash, Balsam Pear, Balsam Pear Vine, Balsam Apple, African Cucumber, Goya, Karavella, Caraille, Carilley, Carilla
Momordica charantia L.
Misspellings: Balsampear