Bitter Melon
Bitter melon is in the cucurbit family and grows on a vine, as do other members of this family, such as cucumbers, squash, or melons. It is a subtropical plant that will grow best in a warm location with some humidity.
The vines can grow over 12 feet long, so a trellis or some other support is needed to keep the fruits off the ground and to promote better growth. It can grow in many types of well-draining soil but needs plenty of water.
Bitter melon generally does not attract a lot of pests, but could potentially be bothered by the same insects that attack other members of the cucurbit family, such as cucumber beetles.
Planting
- Direct seed or transplant in May to June.
- If growing your own seedlings, start the seeds 4 weeks before you want to plant.
- After the plants have grown 6 leaves, fertilizer may be added. In most Santa Clara County soils, primarily nitrogen is needed.
- It is recommended to use a trellis to keep the plant off the ground.
Harvesting
- Bitter melon matures in 50 to 70 days after seeding, depending on the variety.
- Harvest immature fruits before they start to show yellow or orange coloring. Fruits should still be firm and shiny green or light green.
- Ripe fruits will change to an orange color and become soft. The seed arils (the spongy covering over the seeds) will turn a bright red when ripe.
- Over-ripe fruits will burst open at the bottom and release the light brown seeds covered with red pulp.
- Harvest fruits often to keep the plant producing.