Try to grow Bitter Melon, Bitter Gourd (Momordica Charanti)

This year we tried to grow bitter gourd ( also known as bitter melon, karela or karella in India, goya in Japan).  It is hard to grow in cold climates.  We tried to grow bitter gourd from couple of seeds and only one vine survived.  We got couple of bitter gourds.  We are still keeping one on the vine for seeds.   As the weather has turned cold the vine is almost dying.

One bitter gourd left to make seeds

Bitter Melon is sort of a bitter vegetable as the name implies.  It is acquired taste.  You can find lot of recipes for Bitter Melon on the internet.

Bitter Melon are easy to grow.  Before you attempt to grow there are few points to be considered.  It needs warm temperature and lot of sunlight.  Although recommended USA hardy zone is 10-11 but it can be grown in cooler zones during summer.  Our hardy zone is 7 and we grow them from June to September.

Check out posting: Where to buy Bitter Mellon, Bitter Gourd or Karella (Karela) Seeds?

Sow them in late spring when the chance of frosting is over.  As seeds are hard it is better to soak them in warm water for about 48 hours before sowing.  It needs well drained soil.  

Other resources : Suggested Cultural Practices for Bitter Gourd by AVRDC