Bitter Melon Seeds – 15 Seeds for Planting

Grow a warm-season kitchen-garden favorite with this pack of 15 bitter melon seeds. Also known as bitter gourd or karela, this climbing vegetable produces fruit with a distinctively bitter flavor for cooked dishes.

Features

• Package: 15 seeds for planting.
• Botanical name: Momordica charantia.
• Warm-season climbing vine, commonly grown as an annual.
• Suitable for sunny vegetable beds with a sturdy trellis.
• Seeds only; live plants, harvested vegetables, and supports are not included.

Sowing Instructions

1. Soak seeds in lukewarm water for 12–24 hours before sowing.
2. Direct sow after all frost danger has passed and soil has warmed to at least 70°F. For an earlier start, sow indoors in individual pots 3–4 weeks before transplanting.
3. Sow 1/2–1 inch deep in well-draining soil or seed-starting mix.
4. Keep the growing medium around 80–90°F for germination and evenly moist, not waterlogged. Germination commonly takes 7–21 days and may take longer in cooler conditions.
5. Give seedlings bright light. Gradually acclimate indoor starts outdoors for 7–10 days before transplanting in settled warm weather.
6. Space plants approximately 18–24 inches apart along a trellis. Handle roots gently when transplanting.

Support & Care

• Choose full sun with at least 6–8 hours of direct light daily.
• Prepare fertile, well-drained soil with compost. Install a securely anchored trellis about 6–8 feet tall before vines become large.
• Guide young vines onto the support and use loose ties where needed. Keep hanging fruit clear of the ground.
• Water deeply and consistently, especially during flowering and fruit development. Water at soil level and avoid soggy soil.
• Mulch around plants to help retain moisture, leaving space around stems.
• Feed with a balanced vegetable fertilizer according to its label; avoid excessive nitrogen.
• Flowers need pollination for fruit set. Encourage pollinators; if necessary, transfer pollen from a male flower to the center of a female flower, recognizable by the small fruit behind it.
• Inspect regularly for aphids, cucumber beetles, and leaf diseases. Maintain airflow and remove damaged foliage.

Harvest & Kitchen Use

• Harvest fruit while green, firm, and immature, before it turns yellow or orange and splits.
• Use clean snips to cut the stem rather than pulling on the vine. Pick regularly as fruits develop.
• Wash harvested fruit, split lengthwise, and remove seeds and pith before cooking. Slice for stir-fries, soups, or stuffed dishes.
• Bitter melon is naturally bitter. These planting seeds are not intended for eating; do not eat mature seeds or their red coverings.

Seed Disclaimer

Germination is affected by temperature, environment, and planting techniques. We sell seeds only and do not guarantee 100% germination.