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GOURD-BITTER MELON-JAPANESE

GOURD-BITTER MELON-JAPANESE

A$4.00

Availability: In stock

Seeds Per Pack: 4

Momordica charantia
GOURD-BITTER MELON-JAPANESE is a variety that produces long fruits, 15-20cm long with dark green skin. Strong bitter taste ideal for soups, stews, stir-fry & curries.  Bitter gourds require a long hot humid summer with ample water. A delicate  climbing vine, ensure a sturdy support is available to  grow on as this will promote better cropping. Seeds must be kept warm at all times to germinate, ideally between 25 – 30C. Will fail if exposed to cold wet conditions. This bitter melon is very popular in Japan & has a very tasty flavour. Fruits should be harvested for vegetable uses while young & green

Plant 2.5cm deep, 30 cm apart. Early plants can be sown in seedling pots for later transplanting. Prepare well-drained soil with compost & well-rotted manure. Young leaves & shoots are edible. This plant thrives in heat & humidity, & as summer temperatures rise, vines grow quit fast.

These seeds are very expensive so if anyone is interested in growing and saving seeds for me please get in touch.

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How to Grow Japanese Bitter Melon

  1. Bitter melon requires plenty of sunlight to grow properly.  Choose a location that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day.
  2. Prepare the soil so your Bitter melon thrives.  Ideally well drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Before planting, amend the soil with compost or well-rotted manure to improve soil fertility.
  3. Plant the seeds 2-3 cm (0.8-1.2 inches) deep and spaced about 90-120 cm (35-47 inches) apart.
  4. Water regularly to maintain consistent moisture to grow properly. Water the plants deeply once or twice a week, depending on the weather and soil conditions.
  5. Fertilise regularly as Bitter melon is a heavy feeder and requires regular fertilisation to produce a healthy crop.   Apply a balanced fertiliser every 4-6 weeks throughout the growing season.
  6. Provide support as Bitter melon is a vine plant that requires support to grow properly. Install trellises or stakes to help the vines climb and stay off the ground.
  7. Harvest your Bitter melon when the fruits are about 15-20 cm (6-8 inches) long. They should be picked before the skin turns yellow and the seeds start to harden.

Heritage of Japanese Bitter Melon 

While Japanese bitter melon and Bitter melon long are different varieties of bitter melon, they both belong to the same species, Momordica charantia. Therefore, they share a similar heritage as bitter melon in general. They likely have a common origin in the Indian subcontinent and have been cultivated and adapted in different regions over time.

However, due to regional preferences, cultivation practices, and natural selection, different local varieties and cultivars have emerged, each with its own unique characteristics. Japanese bitter melon and Bitter melon long are examples of such distinct cultivars that have been developed and maintained in specific regions.

So, while they have a shared heritage as bitter melon, these specific cultivars may have slight variations in their flavor, appearance, and growth habits. The names and preferences associated with these varieties are often influenced by the regions where they are commonly grown or consumed, reflecting their specific cultural significance and culinary traditions.

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Category Colour Guide
Planting Guide for Australia

Scoville Heat Units (SHU)

Plant Height (cm)

200 - 365

Season of Interest

Summer

Temperature Range (°C)

20 - 30

Determine / Indeterminate

Annual / Perennial / Biennial

Annual

Frost Hardy / Tender

Tender

Full Sun / Part Sun / Shade

Full Sun

Sow Direct / Raise Seedlings

Raise Seedlings

Soil

Well-drained soil with compost & well-rotted manure.

pH

6 - 6.8

Soil Temperature (°C)

20 - 30

Seed Preparation

Soak seeds overnight in warm water. Cut ott tip of pointy end

Sowing Depth (mm)

1

Plant Spacing (cm)

30 - 45

Row spacing (cm)

90 - 120

Watering

Regular Watering

Germination Time (Days)

7 - 14

Harvest Time (Days)

60 - 90

Good Companion Plants

Bush beans. Cucumber, Peas, Tomatoes, Okra, Eggplant, Radish, Carrots, Basil, Mint

Bad Companion Plants

Potatoes, Sweet potatoes, Squash, Pumpkins, Melons,

Pests

Aphids, Whiteflies, Spider Mites, Fruit Flies, Cucumber Beetles, Thrip, Fruit Borers, Leafhopper

Diseases

Bacterial wilt, Powdery mildew, Downy mildew, Anthracnose, Fusarium wilt

More About Us

ABSeeds is an Australian owned business trading under the umbrella of Direct Compost Solutions which is owned and managed by Victoria Brun.

We as a company endeavor to provide to the public, Organic, Old Fashioned, Heritage, and Open-pollinated seeds that have not been genetically modified.

We purchased the business in November 2018 and renamed it to ABSeeds (All ‘Bout Seeds) to make the title shorter and represent what we hope to achieve with this business in the years ahead.

Seeds that we can’t grow ourselves we will acquire from people who grow for us, or we may purchase seeds from reputable heritage seed companies.

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