How to Care for Bitter Melons

Bitter melon is a type of gourd, in the same family as cucumbers and pumpkins, which originates from South Asia. As the name implies, the flesh of this melon is extremely bitter, and many would describe it as an acquired taste. However, bitter melon, of which there are several varieties, has many well-known health benefits; it has a rich amount of vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, phosphorus, and carbohydrates. The ideal conditions for growing bitter melon are temperatures that range around 75 to 80 degrees Farenheit, and a soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.7, rich in organic matter.

Bitter melon seeds
6-foot-high trellising, with roof
Newspaper
Fertilizer

Instructions

- 1
  Soak seeds overnight before planting for best results.
- 2
  Plant one to two seeds in a 1/2-inch deep whole, with each whole spaced 18 to 20 inches apart. Germination of the seeds should occur within a few days. If too many seeds are germinating too closely together, transplant some of the plants to space them out, but be careful not to destroy the root system when transplanting.
- 3
  Place the 6-foot-high trellising, with the roof, around the plants.
- 4
  Remove lateral branches as the plants grow until the runner reaches the roof. Further pruning of the lower part of the plant can help promote growth and flowering.
- 5
  Water regularly, but be careful not to flood the plants. If the soil is of poor quality, periodic fertilization could be required; carefully mix the fertilizer into the soil, and water immediately afterwards. Flowers should begin to appear in five to six weeks, with fruition happening between two to four months
- 6
  Wrap the fruits in newspaper when they are an inch or 2 long to help protect them from pests.

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