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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: Squash64 on July 27, 2013, 12:30:42

Title: Karella is taking over the greenhouse
Post by: Squash64 on July 27, 2013, 12:30:42
The seed was given to me by an Indian plot holder.  I think
it needs a greenhouse just for itself.  I didn't realise it would
be quite so rampant!
(//)
Title: Re: Karella is taking over the greenhouse
Post by: Jayb on July 29, 2013, 20:41:15
Blimey, and it's got a fair bit of growing to do yet!
It looks like it is loving it's spot squash  :happy7:
Title: Re: Karella is taking over the greenhouse
Post by: star on August 02, 2013, 10:22:01
I havent heard of Karella before, what is it? And how do you use it?

Looks a beast..... :toothy10:
Title: Re: Karella is taking over the greenhouse
Post by: pigeonseed on August 03, 2013, 10:48:14
Wow it is doing well!

I love karela. My favourite way is slice thinnish and shallow fry with sprinkle of sugar till it's crispy. Nice side dish with rice.

I hope you get fruit from it. Is any forming yet?
Title: Re: Karella is taking over the greenhouse
Post by: Squash64 on August 04, 2013, 15:09:26
The fruit are a bit like a very spiny courgette, but taste extremely bitter.
My Indian friends really believe in its medicinal properties and as my husband
doesn't mind bitter things I want to try it out on him.

I took a photo of the tiny thumbnail-size fruit today

(//)

The flowers have a lovely scent that I can smell as soon as I go in
the greenhouse.
Title: Re: Karella is taking over the greenhouse
Post by: George the Pigman on August 04, 2013, 22:34:14
Congratulations! I have always wanted to grow bitter melon. I have seen them in the Asian shops in Birmingham.
Here is a link about the plant.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Momordica_charantia

You need to eat the fruits when young otherwise they are bitter. There are recipes on the web about how to cook with it.
Title: Re: Karella is taking over the greenhouse
Post by: cambourne7 on August 04, 2013, 22:39:13
wow thats grown quite a bit since we were there :) enjoy