Topic: Where to buy Karela/Bitter Gourd Seed?

[Dandytown]

Any idea where I can purchase some?  :)

[goodlife]

So far I've only come across this..
http://www.carreglefn-nurseries.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=58

[Jayb]

Baker Creek http://rareseeds.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=Bitter+Melon&searchbox=products&Submit=   and Jungle seeds I know do them http://www.jungleseeds.com/SeedShop/Cucurbita.htm
I may have some seeds, I'll have a look this evening.

[noorie]

If you buy fresh karela from the shop and cut it open, there will be lots of seeds, try to get a short and fat one which is slightly older rather than tender. The seeds will have kind of red web all round, let the seed dry for a few days and hopefully you will have success. I think you can plant only in a green house as they like lots of heat. Good luck

[chriscross1966]

There's some in the swap, there might be spares, if there are I'll stick them in you packet....

[Dandytown]

Thanks everyone for your generosity and information.

[tlc]

can I just ask something... why?  are they pretty plants?  or do you actually like the taste?!!

[Tin Shed]

Dandytown, I found a few lurking in the greenhouse this morning - send me a pm if you want some.

[Jayb]

Sorry no Karela left here, but sounds like you have several offers  :)

[MikeyT]

I've done what Noorie suggested and planted 8 seeds in plug pots.  I just thought I'd try it having bought and cooked some.  It's taken about two weeks but two have sprouted what look like good strong shoots so I am quite hopeful!

I hadn't seen this website until I just googled "bitter gourd" to find out how to grow them - i.e. are they climbers?  I think they will grow outdoors in the UK because I think I've seen them in an allotment on the recent Nigel Slater series, where he visits peoples gardens/allotments and cooks some of their stuff.

And to answer the taste question, yes I do like the taste.  I made an excellent karela biryani.  I usually slice them in half lengthways, scoop out the seeds slice them diagonally (for looks really) and then put them in salty water for 2 hours.  This does remove some of the bitterness but there is still a splendidly tart tang to them in the finished dish.

I'll let you know how they go on....

[1066]

welcome to A4A Mikey T  :)
I love the idea of a Kerela biryani! I've never cooked Bitter Gourds at home, only ever eaten them out and about. And yes I like them too  ;D

[irridium]

My mum gave me some to try as we have them in a traditional Chinese dish http://chinesefood.about.com/od/vegetablesrecipes/r/bittermelonpork.htm you either look the flavour of this or hate it. Most people in my family hate it, and my mum only cooks for me when I visit so that my dad can share it with me! ;D ;D

This post just reminded to realise I may need to start sowing some. I'm not sure whether the seed I have is saved or from a packet. I think my mum said that they might need soaking ovenight ::)

[pigeonseed]

I've got some spare seed too, but it sounds like you're sorted now. Mine were kindly donated to me by A4A-ers this year. I love bitter gourd too! Best of all, fried with a little salt and sugar till it goes all brown and looks like evil little wheels. Mmmmmm.

Sadly I couldn't get mine to germinate this year. I think they're tricky. But I like a challenge so I will keep trying.