Bitter Gourd

Bitter gourd does best in moderate and warm temperatures.

When to plant / sow seeds (ideal season):
July, January

How to plant:
Direct sowing; A trellis is required at a height of 2 meters to support adult climbers. Stakes will be needed to support plants till they reach the trellis.

Sow seeds in holes about 1.25 cm deep with spacing between the holes at around 60 cm. Spacing between rows can be 2.5 metres. Sow 3 seeds per hole. After germination, maintain 2 healthy seedlings per hole.

NOTE: Please go through the Guides in the Knowledge Base for more details on topics ranging from Spacing & Lighting to Soil and Nutrients.

Irrigate the area before sowing the seeds and thereafter once weekly.

NOTE: Irrigation should depend on how moist / wet the soil is. Check your plants everyday to see if they require irrigation or not. Check the Watering & Irrigation guide for more info.

When the vine grows to the top of its trellis, prune or pinch away all lateral branches from the soil up to the 10th node. This will stimulate the upper branches to grow and produce a higher yield. Prune laterals from 0.6- 0.9 meters and prune away the growing tip when it reaches the top of the trellis. As a result, the plant will produce a greater number of flowers and fruit sooner.

NOTE: See the Pruning guide for general info.

When to harvest 
60-65 days after germination typically.

How to harvest
Harvest bitter gourd about 60-65 days after planting and 8 to 10 days after blossoms drop when the fruits are 10-15 cm long. The fruits will be a bit pear shaped, with light green skin and a few streaks of yellow. If fruits stay too long on the vine they will over-ripen, turn all yellow, grow too large, and become bitter.

NOTE: Harvest periods can vary depending on the environmental, climatic, soil conditions.

NOTE: Read Pests & Diseases for more information.