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Momordica charantia
GOURD-BITTER MELON, Balsam Pear is an Asian climber with small, fragrant flowers produces a warty fruit. It produces prolifically but may need hand pollination in cool climates. Sow next to a trellis, after all danger of frost has passed. To avoid excessive bitterness, pick the green fruit when young. Fruit is peeled, rubbed with salt and left for an hour then rinsed and the central spongy pith discarded. Seeds should not be eaten. Otherwise it can be parboiled in salted water before use. Used as a cooked vegetable & in pickles & curries.
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. Soil temp min. 22ºC.
Bitter melon (Momordica charantia) is believed to have originated in the Indian subcontinent, but it has a long history of cultivation and consumption across various regions of Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean. It is considered an ancient crop that has been used for centuries for its culinary and medicinal properties.
Bitter melon has deep cultural and culinary roots in traditional cuisines, particularly in Asian countries such as India, China, and Southeast Asian nations. It is a staple ingredient in many dishes, known for its distinct bitter taste and unique flavor. Bitter melon is also highly valued for its potential health benefits and has been used in traditional medicine systems for its medicinal properties.
As a result of its widespread cultivation and diverse culinary uses, bitter melon has developed various local and regional varieties and cultivars. These cultivars may have specific names and characteristics associated with the regions where they are grown, such as Bitter melon long and Japanese bitter melon, Chinese long, Indian, Thai. These varieties have their own unique traits and flavours, contributing to the rich heritage of bitter melon as a cherished vegetable in many cultures.
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Category Colour Guide
Planting Guide for Australia
Scoville Heat Units (SHU)
Plant Height (cm)
200 - 400
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-draining sandy loam soil
pH
6.0 - 6.5
Soil Temperature (°C)
20 - 30
Seed Preparation
Soak seeds in warm water for 24 hours before sowing
Sowing Depth (mm)
2.0 - 3.0
Plant Spacing (cm)
60 - 90
Row spacing (cm)
150 - 180
Watering
Regular watering to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged
Germination Time (Days)
7 - 14
Harvest Time (Days)
60 - 90
Good Companion Plants
Beans, Corn, Peas, Radish, Cucumber, Melons, Squash
Bad Companion Plants
Nightshade plants (tomatoes, peppers, eggplants), Potatoes
Pests
Aphids, Whiteflies, Spider Mites, Fruit Flies, Cucumber Beetles, Thrip, Fruit Borers, Leafhopper
Diseases
Powdery mildew, Downy mildew, Anthracnose, Fusarium wilt, Bacterial wilt, Root-knot nematodes
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.
ABSeeds is an Australian owned business trading under the umbrella of Direct Compost Solutions which is owned and managed by Victoria Brun.
