Bitter Melon Seeds


Useful gardening information

A mainstay of local oriental produce markets, especially during the warm summer months, bitter melon is a common vegetable consumed by millions around the world -- not only in the Far East, but also in many Central and South American and Caribbean countries. In the western hemisphere, it seems to be better known as an annual ornamental vine than as a food, with lovely, deeply cut leaves and bearing pretty fruits called balsam pears that ripen to a dramatic orange red.

Its bitterness comes from the high concentration of quinine it contains, which incidentally, is the reason why it is regarded by Asians, as well as Panamanians and Colombians, as a valuable drug for preventing and treating malaria.

The vast majority of Americans who have tried bitter melon probably found the experience quite unpleasant, not something they would ever want to repeat. But really, bitter melon is a delicious vegetable -- when cooked right and when latent taste buds on the tongue are given the chance to become acquainted with the most misunderstood and maligned of the five primary flavors. Moreover, it is immensely nutritious.

Rich in iron, bitter melon has twice the beta carotene of broccoli, twice the calcium of spinach, twice the potassium of bananas, and contains vitamins C and B 1 to 3, phosphorus and good dietary fiber. It is believed to be good for the liver and has been proven by western scientists to contain insulin, act as an anti-tumor agent, and inhibit HIV-1 infection.


Sowing Instructions

Direct seed melons in hills 4 ft. apart each way after soil temperature has reached at least 65 degrees. Plant 8-10 seeds per hill, later thin to 4 plants per hill. Cover with 3/4-1" of soil.

Informative articles found on the web:

What is Bitter Melon?
National Bitter Melon Council



IP323 Green Skin
This bitter gourd produces a generous crop of large, heavy and uniform fruits with distinctive vertically scored, shiny and warty light green skin. Fruit size up to 12-13 inches and 3 inches in diameter.
Also known as Bitter Melon, Karella, and Balsam Pear, it prefers warm, humid conditions. Among the most bitter of vegetables, the flesh of the bitter gourd is crunchy and juicy, somewhat like a cucumber in texture. Approx. 56-63 days.
  5 seeds $2.95
  25 seeds $12.95
  100 seeds $32.95
1A119 Common Foo Gwa
(Momordica charantia) Tasty mild bitter fruit gives delicious flavor to stir-fries and Oriental dishes. 5”-8" white-green colored bumpy fruit turn a beautiful deep orange. When overripe they pop open. The seeds are covered in a good amount of bright red jell, that tastes like cherry candy. Ornamental vines give good yields. They thrive in hot weather and are not bothered by insects or wilt. Aka Balsam pear, it has been used medicinally for hundreds of years. Can be hard to germinate.
  5 seeds $2.95
IP146 India Long Green
This is a typical variety of Indian Bitter Gourds and is very popular for Indian cuisines. An unique appearance of Indian Bitter Gourds is teeths on the fruit skin. This variety produces long green skin fruits, 8-12 inches in length and about 1/4 Lb. in weight. The plant grows vigorously in warm climates and bears lots of fruits for a long time.
  5 seeds $3.95
  25 seeds $14.95
Image:Zeynel Cebeci, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
TRZ135 Common Wild Bitter Melon ( Momordica charantia )
The most widely known Bitter Melon. Vines bear lots of small natural bitter melons. A tropical vine with long, slender shoots, deeply lobed leaves and warty, oblong fruits that are edible when young and green but turn very bitter when mature and yellow. When fully ripe, the fruits break open to reveal seeds covered in soft, bright red and edible, sweet pulp.
  10 seeds $3.95
  25 seeds $7.95