Anyone ever grown Karella?

[Squash64]

I really wanted to grow Karella (Bitter Gourd) this year but of the 5 seeds I sowed, 3 didn't germinate and the other two germinated but then didn't grow any more.

I sowed them in a heated propagator and treated them the same as all the other members of the squash family, yet they were the only seeds I've sown this year which have failed.

Anyone else had any luck with them?

[Squash64]

[Dandytown]

I have not tried them yet but I had the same result for some Lou seed http://www.desiseeds.com/kodu-lou_seeds.php

I tried about 20 and they all failed. They were filed, soaked and then chitted inbetween cotton wool in a ziplock bag in the airing cupboard. 
This method works for all my squash and atlantic giant pumpkin seed and I get germination in 24-48 hours.  However, not for these Lou seed.

Maybe we need a bengali grower who knows how to get them germinated to advise us.

[Jayb]

I tried some a few years back. Germination I think was about 75% in a heated propagator, they were a bit sulky to get started, needing warmth to get them going. Mine then grew in a polytunnel and although made sizeable vines with lots of flowers, fruiting was poor. The few fruit I had didn't really amount to much, but it wasn't a great summer and I'm in rainy Wales. Somewhere with a bit more sunshine may make all the difference. I'd like to try them again sometime though  :)

Some tempting seeds in that link Dandy  :)
Have you some more seeds to try Squash?

[Squash64]

Have you some more seeds to try Squash?

I was speaking to one of our Indian plotholders this morning and he told me that his aunt brought some seeds back from India and he will give me some.  He said she told him there were two different varieties but I'll have to get him to write them down because I've forgotten them already.  He hasn't grown any himself yet.

I think it's a bit late for this year isn't it?

[Jayb]

I seem to be sowing several things late this year, perhaps we will have an Indian summer!

[Toshofthe Wuffingas]

I'm in dull and boring old unicultural East Anglia and envy you people with access to other horticultural cultures and expertise!

[irridium]

can't find the pm button on your profile squash, so i'll ask you on here. if you want, i have a spare plant that i can send to you that i germinated sometime ago (heated propagator) i got the others at my friend's poly and they're doing fine there (about 8" tall now). they like it moist and they'll climb to meters high if they're happy. let me know and i can send this to you tomorrow.

[Squash64]

can't find the pm button on your profile squash, so i'll ask you on here. if you want, i have a spare plant that i can send to you that i germinated sometime ago (heated propagator) i got the others at my friend's poly and they're doing fine there (about 8" tall now). they like it moist and they'll climb to meters high if they're happy. let me know and i can send this to you tomorrow.

Wow, that's definitely an offer I can't refuse!  I'll pm you.

[Jayb]

PM option is towards the bottom of the profile page, just below the map.