Seeds - Cucumber, Bitter Melon OG (T)
$4.59
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Description: The long days and warm temperatures of the prairie summer make growing this tropical veggie absolutely viable! Popular in Caribbean, South Asian and African recipes. The bumpy fruits can be compared to cucumbers, but are always prepared using a variety of cooking techniques (stir-frying, brining or stuffed and baked).
Bitter Melon requires lots of heat to germinate and thrive, and we find growing this type of veggie works best in large containers (15 - 20 gallon). Plant out only after the air and soil temperatures are warm. As a vine, it also requires sturdy support.
Pack Size: 10 seeds
Latin Name: Momordica charantia
Main Uses: Vegetable
Days to Maturity: 70 days
Exposure: Full sun
Height: 6 ft / sprawling vine
Seed source: Ecocert Canada
Germination: 7 - 14 days at 18 - 22ºC.
Indoors: 4 weeks before last frost date. Sow in individual 2 - 3" plantable pots, such as peat or coir, so as not to disturb the roots when transplanting. For best results, apply Sea Magic™ kelp from first watering. Apply a seedling-starter fertilizer such as Evolve Seedling once the second set of true leaves has appeared, and then alternate between the kelp and seedling starter until transplant.
Outdoors: Direct seed after last frost date, once the soil temperature reaches 20ºC.
Planting Depth: 1/2" (outdoors).
Spacing: 4 - 5 seeds in hills spaced 12 - 18" apart. Thin to 2 - 3 plants per hill. If space is limited, plant closer together and provide a trellis.
Planting Out: Plant outdoors in 12" diameter hills in well-drained fertile soil once seedlings are established and all chance of frost is past.
Fertilizing (Containers): Plant in a quality, organic-based potting mix with good drainage. Fertilize regularly with organic plant food. Jobes organic fertilizer spikes are easy and effective!
Watering (Containers): Water containers deeply when top inch feels dry to the touch. Monitor every day or two during very hot weather.
Growing in Mixed Planters: Sprawling cucumber varieties with vigorous vines are not well-suited to mixed planters, but compact varieties may do well given a large container, such as a barrel.
Fertilizing (Garden): Plant in a garden recently amended with compost. No further fertilizing required.
Watering (Garden): Water evenly - very important!
Garden Companions: N/A.
Harvesting: Harvest when the fruits are a good size for eating and the skin looks glossy.
Suitability for Indoors: Not suited for indoors.
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