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Momordica charantia
GOURD-BITTER MELON-LONG gourds can grow up to 30cm long on herbaceous vines that can reach 5 meters long. Belonging to the Cucurbitaceous family there are two types commonly cultivated world wide that have slightly different appearances and flavour. And both are prepared in different ways for eating. The Chinese variety are generally lighter green and not as bumpy as the other Indian variety which usually has a darker yellowish green skin with more lumps and bumps. Both are found in India, Asia, Africa, Australia, Caribbean and other middles eastern countries.
Can be fried, steamed, boiled (added to soups), stuffed, made into a tea and even juiced along with other vegetables. The cucurbitacin’s compounds in the flesh is what gives them their bitter flavor. Said to be a good source of vitamin C to reduce inflammation, improve the immune system, and boost collagen production. Plus vitamin A for healthy organ functioning, potassium to balance fluid levels, and some calcium for bones and teeth. Other elements include folate, iron, zinc, and fiber.
A sub-tropical / tropical vine can be planted directly into soil at the end of spring into early summer. If planting in a greenhouse they can be planted outside after the last front and when the temperate is around 21C. Plant is well drained composted soil on a trellis or fruit will rot if grown like a training plant where the fruit lies on the ground. The plant produces both male and female flowers which you will have to hand pollinate if growing indoor and catch the male flower before it drops off after only one day. Harvest the fruits when they are roughly 20cm long. The darker the colour the more bitter they are and the younger they are the less bitter they are.
Save the seeds from overripe yellow fruit, (seeds will be red) dry and store in a cool place. Mature fruit has brown and white seeds. They are easily dried and store lasting up to 2 to 3 years. Soak overnight before planting.
While Bitter melon long and Japanese bitter melon and 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 - 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)
25 - 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.
