General Information

  • Category- Vegetable
  • Binomial Name- Momordica charantia
  • Common Names- bitter melon, bitter gourd, bitter squash, Karela
  • Spread- 20-30 inches**
  • Height- 90-120 inches**
  • Average Production- 10-12 fruits per plant
  • Days to Maturity- 55-90 days

Nutrition Values

  • Calories: 17
  • Protein: 1 grams
  • Water: 94%
  • Carbohydrates: 3.7 grams
  • Fiber: 2.8 grams
  • Fat: 0.17 grams

Vitamins

  • Vitamin A- 471 IU
  • Vitamin C- 84 mg
  • Vitamin B1- 0.040 mg
  • Vitamin B2- 0.040 mg
  • Vitamin B3- 0.400 mg
  • Vitamin B5- 0.212 mg
  • Vitamin B6- 0.043 mg
  • Vitamin B9- 72μg
  • Beta carotene- 190 μg
  • Lutein zeaxanthin- 170 μg

Minerals

  • Potassium- 296 mg
  • Calcium- 19 mg
  • Iron- 0.43 mg
  • Manganese- 0.089 mg
  • Magnesium- 17 mg
  • Sodium- 5 mg
  • Zinc- 0.80 mg
  • Copper- 0.034

*The values are standard average per 100 grams and might change a bit.

Environmental Requirements

  • Soil-  Well-drained sandy loam soils
  • Soil Moisture- 22%
  • Soil pH- 6.0-6.7
  • Sun Requirements- Full Sun
  • Best Time to Plant- Winter, Spring, Late summer, Early Fall (January to March, June, July)
  • Temperature range- 25-35 Celsius

Tips to Grow Bitter Gourd

  1. Arrange good quality bitter gourd seeds.
  2. The soil should be well drained evenly moist, but not wet or soggy.
  3.  Sow seeds in holes about half-inch deep and spaced 12 inches apart.
  4. We can add  aged compost and aged manure for better growth.
  5. Harvest bitter gourd about 12 to 16 weeks after planting and 8 to 10 days after blossom drop when the fruits are 4 to 6 inches long. The fruits will be a bit pear shaped, with light green skin and a few streaks of yellow.
  6. If fruits stay too long on the vine they will over-ripen, turn all yellow, grow too large, and become bitter.
  7. Setup a base for the plant to spread properly for your balcony or open garden. Our guide will help you doing this setup.

** The values are standard values but might change a bit.

Vegetables