Bitter Gourd (Barahmasi) Seeds (karela/करेला के बीज)

Bitter gourd or karela may taste bitter but it has too many health benefits. Bitter gourd Barahmasi is a vine-growing plant that can be grown in pots at home like cucumbers or melons in hot summer. It’s very interesting to grow bitter gourd in your own home. It is a variety of Bitter Gourd which can be grown round of the year. In this information, you will know how to grow bitter gourd plants in a pot and some easy tips for growing bitter gourd hybrids.

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About this item  

• Number of Barahmasi Bitter Gourd Seeds: 12 Seeds
• Where to grow: Balcony or terrace garden
• Sowing season: Throughout the year
• Mode of sowing: Sow the seeds 1.5-2 cm in a Container, Grow bags, or Pots.
• Germination temperature: 25-32°C
• Germination Time: 8 to 12 days from sowing
• Fruit Shape: Medium long
• Fruit Color: Green
• Fruit Length: 15-22cm
• Harvesting: 8 to 12 weeks
• Plant vigor: Strong plant

What size grow bag is best for Bitter Gourd?

• 15 x 15 (W*H)
• 18 x 18 (W*H)
• 24 x 24 (W*H)

Bitter Gourd Growing Season In India

The bitter gourd plant can grow throughout the year in any season but needs a warm and humid climate to grow well. it generally prefers a temperature range of 25-32°C for optimal growth. The main growing seasons are summer (February – April), monsoon (June to July), and post-monsoon/autumn (September to October), with variations depending on local conditions.

How To Grow Bitter Gourd 

The direct sowing method is best for planting bitter gourd in any container. The best size of the pot/grow bag is 35-60 cm in height and width for faster growth of the bitter gourd plant. Bitter gourd hybrid seeds are usually hard so you can soak the seeds which will help you to germinate fast but can direct sowing seeds and keep soil moist for quick germination. Before watering the bitter gourd plant, check that the soil is dry because bitter gourd is a vegetable grown in the summer season, it is necessary to water it from time to time.

Bitter Gourd Seeds Sowing Method

Sown bitter gourd barahmasi seeds about 1 inch deep in the soil at a distance of 15-18 cm between two plants. Gently water the soil and keep the soil evenly moist till the seeds germinate. Seeds will take about 8 to 12 days to germinate in the best soil temperature of 25 to 32℃.

Bitter Gourd Fertilizer Requirements

• Apply any slow-release fertilizer (such as vermicompost, cow manure, neem cake, or mustard cake) at the time of bitter gourd planting.
• Feed the bitter gourd plants with liquid fertilizer once a month during the flowering time to increase flowers.

How To Make Support For Bitter Gourd

Bitter gourd is a vine plant and grows very tall so you need to develop strong trellis support (180-200cm) by using materials like pipes, creeper net, bamboo, ropes, wires, etc, when the plant reaches about 5-8 cm long and has few leaves. Trellis helps to grow bitter gourd vines vertically which makes the plant grow well and helps in producing good fruits.

Bitter Gourd Plant Care Tips

Water – Keep soil moist and gently water the soil during the morning or evening when the soil feels dry to the touch.
Soil – To get the best results for bitter gourd plants, use loamy and rich organic matter soil.
Sunlight – Bitter gourd prefers a warm climate; so keep the plant in such a place, where it gets 6 to 8 hours of sunlight daily.
Temperature – The ideal temperature for growing bitter gourd plants is 20-35 degrees Celsius.
Common pests and disease – Some pests like Mexican bean beetles, and mites can attack the bitter gourd plants. Powdery mildew and downy mildew are the main diseases that infect bitter gourd plants. To get rid of this problem, it would be right to spray neem oil on the bitter gourd plant from time to time.

How To Prune Bitter Gourd Plant

The main purpose of prune bitter gourd is to keep vines neat and remove unnecessary side vines. Regular pruning of side shoots on bitter gourd is also necessary to get more fruits from the plant and to control the spread of the plant.

Which vines should we prune?

• Cut weak vines (that are old, and thin with unhealthy shoots) will not fruit in the future.
• Vines that grow on the floor; but will not have good quality fruits.
• Remove the vines that grow near the root.
• Vines with failed fruit or without fruits.

Bitter Gourd Flowering Time And Pollination

After 1 month from seed sowing bitter gourd starts flowering, the male flower appears first and the female will begin at a small fruit. Bitter gourd is cross-pollinated; especially bees will pollinate the flowers. But sometimes it may be a problem in pollination because bees or insects are less active during the monsoon season. In such a case, hand pollination can work, reveal the stamen at the center by removing the petal from the male blossom, and you will see pollen clinging to it. Carry the pollen on your finger or small soft brush to female blossoms and touch them at their center. Be sure to refresh your brush with pollen every few touches. After doing this process, you will see the plant starts to give fruits. The introduction of beehives also ensures good pollination.

 Bitter Gourd Harvest Time

• Plants start bearing fruits within 55 to 80 days of sowing bitter gourd seeds.
• Bitter gourds of dark green color whose length is 10-12 cm can be harvested.
• If fruits are left to ripen on the vine longer than this, they will begin to change color to a pale orange color and taste bad.
• During harvesting, pluck bitter gourd fruits every 2-3 days so that new fruits can be formed.
• Bitter gourd fruits ripen fast in warm places as compared to cold ones. So keep plucking the fruits on time.

Bitter Gourd Plant Special Features

• Common name – Bitter melon, balsam pear, karela (in Hindi)
• Scientific name – Momordica charantia
• Height – 180 to 300 cm
• Flower color – Yellow
• Grow Level – Easy
• Companion plant – Beans, corn, peas, and pumpkin

FAQ

Does bitter gourd need full sun?

Bitter gourd plant grows fast when it gets 6-8 hours of direct full sunlight.

How can I make my bitter gourd grow faster?

Bitter gourd can grow rapidly in nutrient-rich soil with good organic manure and with proper sunlight and water.

Why is my bitter gourd fruit turning yellow?

Bitter gourd yellow mosaic virus causes yellow mosaic disease in bitter gourd. Fruit also turns yellow due to lack of watering.

Why is my bitter gourd flower dropping?

Overwatering, extremely high temperatures, and excess nitrogen in fertilizer causes bitter gourd flower drop.

Do bitter gourd plants need support?

For vertical growth of the bitter gourd plant, it needs support like pipe, bamboo, rope, or wires to produce more fruit.

Why is my bitter gourd plant not flowering?

There are three factors water, sunlight, and temperature changes that affect the blooms of your bitter gourd. Don’t get too much water or less water to your bitter gourd plants and keep the plant in a place where it can get proper sunlight.

Why are my bitter gourd leaves getting wilting?

Overwatering is the main reason behind wilting; so avoid overwatering and keep the soil moist.

Why are my bitter gourd seeds not germinating?

Bitter gourd seeds will not germinate because of improper growing conditions like not getting enough sunlight, overwatering, or underwatering.
Note : Images are for reference purposes only. Actual product may vary in shape or appearance based on climate, age, height, etc.