Momordica charantia
Bitter melon
Common names: Bitter cucumber, Balsam pear
Photo: Francisco Manuel Blanco (O.S.A.) · Public Domain · Source
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Description
The bitter melon, botanically Momordica charantia, is a climbing vine from the Cucurbitaceae family that originates in tropical Asia. It produces pungent, elongated fruits with a pronounced bitter taste that is valued in Asian cuisine. The plant is heat‑loving and, in temperate regions, is successfully cultivated only in a greenhouse or a protected, sunny spot as a summer crop. Unripe green fruits are only tolerable raw in small amounts; for consumption they are usually blanched to reduce bitterness. Children and pets should exercise caution, as ripe orange fruits with seeds can cause nausea when consumed in larger quantities.
Care instructions
Sow the bitter melon at the end of March to mid‑April (weeks 13 to 15) in a warm room, with germination temperatures above 20 °C. Transplant seedlings after the frost dates, mid‑May (week 20), into a greenhouse or a protected, full‑sun outdoor location. Provide a sturdy trellis or support, as the plant climbs several meters quickly. Keep the soil evenly moist and fertilize regularly with mature compost during the growing period. Harvest fruits while they are green and still firm, before they turn orange, to maintain a mild flavor suitable for cooking.
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
humus-rich, nutrient-rich, well-drained, moist
Feeding
Heavy feeder
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