Any idea where I can purchase some? :)
So far I've only come across this..
http://www.carreglefn-nurseries.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=58 (http://www.carreglefn-nurseries.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=58)
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.
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
There's some in the swap, there might be spares, if there are I'll stick them in you packet....
Thanks everyone for your generosity and information.
can I just ask something... why? are they pretty plants? or do you actually like the taste?!!
Dandytown, I found a few lurking in the greenhouse this morning - send me a pm if you want some.
Sorry no Karela left here, but sounds like you have several offers :)
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....
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
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 ::)
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.