Cucumber – Bitter melon

Light green bumpy fruit with a bitter taste, 25 to 30 cm long, the cucumber, gourd or bitter melon is also known as karela in Hindi and ku gua in Mandarin. Very popular in Asian cuisine, it is eaten fried, stir-fried or in curries, where it loses some of its bitterness. It can be grown on trellises or on a fence to save space and for straighter fruit. Choose a warm and very sunny location.

Growing tips

Conditions of germination:

depth of sowing: 2 cm

optimal temperatures of germination: 25 to 32 ºC

time for germination: 7 to 14 days

When to sow:

sow indoors 3 to 4 weeks before the last frost date in your area preferably in peat pots to facilitate transplanting OR

direct seeding when the soil is warm and the temperature is above 16ºC

Sowing technique: in pocket

In the same hole, sow 3 seeds 1 to 2 cm apart; when the seeds have germinated and the seedlings have reached a height of 5 cm, keep only the best plants.

Transplant outdoors (for seedlings started indoors):

Harden off seedlings outdoors before transplanting to the garden when all risk of frost is removed and the air is warmed.

Distance in the garden:

between plants: 45 to 60 cm

between rows: 75 to 90 cm

Soil: light, well drained, rich

Water: regular watering at the base of the plants (avoid foliage as much as possible)

Exposure: full sun

Days to harvest (from transplanting): 70 days

Specificity:

For direct seeding, seeds can be sown on a mound of soil and compost and run the plants in opposite directions at ground level.

QUICK STATS

Number of seeds: ±8

Difficulty: Easy

Type: Heirloom / Open pollinated

Lifecycle:Annual

Additional information

Weight            1.5 g

Difficulty         

Easy

Sowing          

Direct, Indoor

Lifecycle        

Annual

Root cellar     

No

Sowing season        

Spring, Summer