I have just been given two bitter melon plants by one of my lottie neighbours. He told me that they like the heat so I am growing them in the greenhouse - has anyone ever grown them before?
No I've never grown them before (thought I love to eat them!) but they grow in very hot countries, so yes I think they will like the heat.
I believe they also need to be pollinated to set fruit, and they're climbing gourds. That's all I know!
They're also called 'bitter gourd' and in India are 'karela', in case you didn't know. It might help with searching for advice online if you know all the names.
Good luck - I hope you get a crop!
Not grown them myself but if they are Karela I would be interested to know how you get on.
They are an `acquired taste` to say the least
They are Karela - thats what Seb, who's Philipino, calls them. They grow them sort of outside, but protected by plastic, and do get a crop - so hopefully I will get a crop if I grow them in the greenhouse.
Apparently they are less bitter if you let them ripen - we shall see ;D
I will let you know how I get on!
I buy them from time to time from an Asian shop not so very far away-peeled and yes (for me) salted a touch they do add a certain `something`.
But only a bit-not enough to tempt me to grow them.
I love them - my favourite way to eat them is just to slice them, take out the pith, and shallow fry them with a bt of sugar and salt till they go brown. Delicious with rice.
There are a a few available as seed here.Reading from a one seed catalogue....
Edible gourds,aka bitter gourds,know geographically as Balsam Pear and Bitter Melon (US) Ku Gwa (China) Kerala (India) Ampalaya (Phillipines)
Comet (pebbly skin Phillipine type) and Palee(spiny Indian type.) are hybrids .
Growing info is . Grow like melons or cukes,transplant when weather is warm and settled or grow in greenhouse, need temps of 70f day and 60f at night.Do not disturb roots when transplanting.
Hope this helps
XX Jeannine
Thanks for all the info - they are repotted into large pots and are in a nice warm greenhouse :D
If they grow and I can save some seeds I will offer them on.