Bitter Gourd Seeds – Easy to Grow & Nutrient-Rich
Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia), also known as Karela or Bitter Melon, is a tropical vegetable packed with iron, beta-carotene, potassium, calcium, fiber, and essential vitamins (C, B1, B2, B3). It thrives in warm, humid climates and grows vigorously as temperatures rise.
How to Grow Bitter Gourd from Seeds
Sowing Season: Summer & Monsoon
Sowing Method: Direct sowing in raised beds or containers
Best Containers: Large pots or grow bags (16” diameter, 8-10” depth)
Ideal Soil Mix:
Option 1: 1-part garden soil + 1-part coco peat + 1-part vermicompost
Option 2: 2-parts garden soil + 1-part organic manure
Seed Sowing Steps (Container Gardening)
Choose a container with drainage holes.
Fill it with a nutrient-rich potting mix.
Sow 2 seeds per pot at the center.
Lightly press the seeds into the soil and cover them.
Water gently using a watering can.
For raised beds, maintain a spacing of 3 x 3 ft between plants.
Growth Stages of Bitter Gourd
Germination: Seeds sprout within 6-8 days.
Cotyledons: First set of false leaves appear in the second week.
True Leaves: Real leaves develop above cotyledons by the end of the second week.
Seedling Stage: The plant starts growing actively.
Thinning: After two weeks, keep only the strongest seedling per spot.
Plant Care Tips
Sunlight: Requires full sunlight; place containers or raised beds in a bright location.
Watering: Water daily in summer, preferably using a watering can or a drip irrigation system.
Trellis Support: As a vigorous climber, bitter gourd needs a 5-6 ft trellis made of bamboo, ropes, or wires.
Fertilization: Before sowing, mix organic manure (cow dung, compost, or vermicompost) in a 2:1 ratio with soil. After 45 days, apply NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer (1 tbsp per plant) or a handful of vermicompost.
Pest & Disease Control: Regularly inspect for insect or fungal infections like Powdery Mildew. Use organic or chemical sprays as needed.
Pollination & Fruit Formation
Bitter gourd produces both male and female flowers on the same plant.
Fruits develop on female flowers after pollination.
Hand Pollination (Optional): Use a cotton bud or brush to transfer pollen from male to female flowers to boost fruit production.
Harvesting (60 Days After Sowing)
The plant starts flowering by the second month.
Fruits can be harvested 2 months after sowing and continue producing for up to 3 months.
Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia), also known as Karela or Bitter Melon, is a tropical vegetable packed with iron, beta-carotene, potassium, calcium, fiber, and essential vitamins (C, B1, B2, B3). It thrives in warm, humid climates and grows vigorously as temperatures rise.
How to Grow Bitter Gourd from Seeds
Sowing Season: Summer & Monsoon
Sowing Method: Direct sowing in raised beds or containers
Best Containers: Large pots or grow bags (16” diameter, 8-10” depth)
Ideal Soil Mix:
Option 1: 1-part garden soil + 1-part coco peat + 1-part vermicompost
Option 2: 2-parts garden soil + 1-part organic manure
Seed Sowing Steps (Container Gardening)
Choose a container with drainage holes.
Fill it with a nutrient-rich potting mix.
Sow 2 seeds per pot at the center.
Lightly press the seeds into the soil and cover them.
Water gently using a watering can.
For raised beds, maintain a spacing of 3 x 3 ft between plants.
Growth Stages of Bitter Gourd
Germination: Seeds sprout within 6-8 days.
Cotyledons: First set of false leaves appear in the second week.
True Leaves: Real leaves develop above cotyledons by the end of the second week.
Seedling Stage: The plant starts growing actively.
Thinning: After two weeks, keep only the strongest seedling per spot.
Plant Care Tips
Sunlight: Requires full sunlight; place containers or raised beds in a bright location.
Watering: Water daily in summer, preferably using a watering can or a drip irrigation system.
Trellis Support: As a vigorous climber, bitter gourd needs a 5-6 ft trellis made of bamboo, ropes, or wires.
Fertilization: Before sowing, mix organic manure (cow dung, compost, or vermicompost) in a 2:1 ratio with soil. After 45 days, apply NPK 15:15:15 fertilizer (1 tbsp per plant) or a handful of vermicompost.
Pest & Disease Control: Regularly inspect for insect or fungal infections like Powdery Mildew. Use organic or chemical sprays as needed.
Pollination & Fruit Formation
Bitter gourd produces both male and female flowers on the same plant.
Fruits develop on female flowers after pollination.
Hand Pollination (Optional): Use a cotton bud or brush to transfer pollen from male to female flowers to boost fruit production.
Harvesting (60 Days After Sowing)
The plant starts flowering by the second month.
Fruits can be harvested 2 months after sowing and continue producing for up to 3 months.
LK, Sabaragamuwa
