GOURD-BITTER MELON-JAPANESE
GOURD-BITTER MELON-JAPANESE
A$4.00
Availability: 86 in stock
Seeds Per Pack: 4
Momordica charantia
GOURD-BITTER MELON-JAPANESE is a variety that produces long fruits, 15-20cm long with dark green skin. Strong bitter taste ideal for soups, stews, stir-fry & curries. Bitter gourds require a long hot humid summer with ample water. A delicate climbing vine, ensure a sturdy support is available to grow on as this will promote better cropping. Seeds must be kept warm at all times to germinate, ideally between 25 – 30C. Will fail if exposed to cold wet conditions. This bitter melon is very popular in Japan & has a very tasty flavour. Fruits should be harvested for vegetable uses while young & green
Plant 2.5cm deep, 30 cm apart. 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. This plant thrives in heat & humidity, & as summer temperatures rise, vines grow quit fast.
These seeds are very expensive so if anyone is interested in growing and saving seeds for me please get in touch.
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How to Grow Japanese Bitter Melon
- Bitter melon requires plenty of sunlight to grow properly. Choose a location that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day.
- Prepare the soil so your Bitter melon thrives. Ideally well drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Before planting, amend the soil with compost or well-rotted manure to improve soil fertility.
- Plant the seeds 2-3 cm (0.8-1.2 inches) deep and spaced about 90-120 cm (35-47 inches) apart.
- Water regularly to maintain consistent moisture to grow properly. Water the plants deeply once or twice a week, depending on the weather and soil conditions.
- Fertilise regularly as Bitter melon is a heavy feeder and requires regular fertilisation to produce a healthy crop. Apply a balanced fertiliser every 4-6 weeks throughout the growing season.
- Provide support as Bitter melon is a vine plant that requires support to grow properly. Install trellises or stakes to help the vines climb and stay off the ground.
- Harvest your Bitter melon when the fruits are about 15-20 cm (6-8 inches) long. They should be picked before the skin turns yellow and the seeds start to harden.
Heritage of Japanese Bitter Melon
While Japanese bitter melon and Bitter melon long 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
200 - 365
Season of Interest
Summer
Temperature Range
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-drained soil with compost & well-rotted manure.
pH
6 - 6.8
Soil Temperature
20 - 30
Seed Preparation
Soak seeds overnight in warm water. Cut ott tip of pointy end
Sowing Depth
1
Plant Spacing
30 - 45
Row spacing
90 - 120
Watering
Regular Watering
Germination Time (Days)
7 - 14
Harvest Time (Days)
60 - 90
Good Companion Plants
Bush beans. Cucumber, Peas, Tomatoes, Okra, Eggplant, Radish, Carrots, Basil, Mint
Bad Companion Plants
Potatoes, Sweet potatoes, Squash, Pumpkins, Melons,
Pests
Aphids, Whiteflies, Spider Mites, Fruit Flies, Cucumber Beetles, Thrip, Fruit Borers, Leafhopper
Diseases
Bacterial wilt, Powdery mildew, Downy mildew, Anthracnose, Fusarium wilt
More About Us
When I started this journey in 2009, I found nothing existed commercially, that was reasonably priced and easy to use. There was a homemade system which I also found was not that user-friendly.
Then a friend of mine told me about a homemade method she used. However, when I tried her method, I found this also didn’t suit my needs, as it too had flaws that I considered where important. It did not keep vermin out, did not have a lockable lid and (to me) looked unsightly in the garden
