Bitter Gourd Dark Green F1 Hybrid Seeds for Garden (Karela / करेला)

Bitter Gourd SEEDS Dark Green F1 Hybrid  – Ideal for Home Gardening

Bitter gourd, also known as Karela or Momordica charantia, provides a highly nutritious vegetable widely recognized for its medicinal and health benefits. This F1 hybrid variety delivers higher yields and faster growth. Perfect for home gardening, you can grow bitter gourd year-round in hot climates, making it ideal for pots, containers, and small spaces. This dark green variety produces long, cylindrical fruits that can reach up to 22 cm.

Growing Instructions of Bitter Gourd Seeds

Sowing Season:
Bitter gourd thrives in warm weather, making it ideal for summer or year-round in tropical climates. It can be grown from February to October for optimal results. However, it can germinate in all seasons, with summer offering the best growth conditions.

Soil Requirements:
Use a well-drained soil mix containing 40% red soil, 40% vermicompost, and 20% coco peat. Adding neem cake ensures pest resistance and enhances soil fertility. A loamy, nutrient-rich soil will yield the best results.

Sowing Process:

• • Container Size: Use a 12×12 or 15×15-inch grow bag or pot. Ensure the container is deep to accommodate the root system.
  • Seed Depth: Sow seeds 1.5-2 cm deep, spaced 12-14 cm apart.
  • Watering: Keep the soil moist but avoid overwatering. Water every 2-3 days in summer and adjust during rainy or cooler seasons.

Plant Care Tips for Bitter Gourd Seeds

• • • Sunlight: Bitter gourd requires 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for vigorous growth. It performs best in full sunlight, so place the plant in a well-lit area.
    • Watering Schedule: Water 2-3 times a week during hot months, less in winter or monsoons. Avoid waterlogging to prevent root decay.
    • Fertilization: Use organic fertilizers like cow manure, vermicompost, or neem cake once a month. Liquid fertilizers during flowering will boost fruit production.
    • Pest Control: Common pests include whiteflies, aphids, and powdery mildew. Use neem oil spray regularly to prevent infestations.

Supporting the Plant:
Being a climber, bitter gourd requires vertical support for optimal growth. Install a sturdy trellis or creeper net once the plant reaches 5-8 cm. This will help the vine grow vertically, improve airflow, and allow better fruiting.

Harvesting and Pruning

First Harvest: Bitter gourd fruits are ready to harvest 55-80 days after sowing. Dark green fruits measuring 10-12 cm can be picked.

Regular Harvesting: Pluck fruits every 2-3 days to encourage continuous fruiting. Harvest when the fruit is firm and dark green.

Pruning: Remove weak, old, or non-productive vines to promote healthier growth and higher yield.

Additional Growing Tips of Bitter Gourd Seeds

• Pollination: Bitter gourd is cross-pollinated by bees. If natural pollinators are scarce, hand-pollination can be performed using a soft brush.
• Indoor vs Outdoor Growing: While bitter gourd can be started indoors, it is best grown outdoors in sunlight for healthy growth.
• Potting Mix: A balanced potting mix with coco peat and organic compost will boost soil health and nutrient availability.

Common Questions

1. Why is my bitter gourd fruit turning yellow?
   The yellowing of fruits is caused by the bitter gourd mosaic virus or over-ripening. Pick the fruits while they’re still green to ensure the best taste.
2. How do I improve fruit yield?
   Regular pruning of non-fruiting vines, providing enough sunlight, and ensuring consistent watering will help increase yield.
3. Does bitter gourd need a lot of water?
   Bitter gourd is a low water consumer. Ensure the soil remains moist but not soggy.

Companion Plants : Grow bitter gourd alongside beans, peas, or corn to promote mutual benefits in growth and pest control.! Visit our Facebook Page

Grow Bitter Gourd Dark Green F1 Hybrid seeds, a top choice for home gardeners! This non-GMO variety is perfect for container gardening, yielding delicious Karela fruits with minimal care. Learn how to plant, grow, and harvest for the best results.

LOCAL NAMES OF BITTER GOURD

• Hindi: Karela ke Beej
• Bengali: Korola er Beej
• Gujarati: Karelu na Beejo
• Marathi: Karle che Beeje
• Tamil: Pagarai Thannir
• Telugu: Kakarakaya Beej
• Kannada: Hagalakayi Beeja
• Malayalam: Pavakka vithu
• Punjabi: Karela de Beej
• Odia: Karela ra Beeja