Bitter melon care guide

Pets and children

How often to water Bitter melon

Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)

Every day

With so much leaf it drinks heavily: as a guide, water thoroughly every day once the topsoil dries, morning and evening in midsummer if needed.

Autumn (Oct–Nov)

Every 2 days

Harvest continues into about October; the soil dries more slowly, so ease back to watering about when the topsoil dries.

Winter (Dec–Feb)

Every 5 days

Generally out of season; only seedlings raised indoors need a sparing watering about two to three days after the soil dries.

Light and placement for Bitter melon

Full sun with a sturdy net for the vines to climb is about right; it loves heat and generally makes a good green curtain to shade a window, though strong wind can tear the leaves.

Overwintering Bitter melon

Overwintering guide: 10°C (50°F) or above

It is generally grown as an annual and cleared before the first frost; there is no overwintering, so sow or plant again from May once temperatures reach around 25°C.

Fertilizing and repotting Bitter melon

Fertilizer

Once the vines start running, slow-release fertilizer about monthly or liquid feed about every two weeks is the usual guide; it feeds heavily while cropping, and yellowing leaves or small fruit signal hunger.

When to repot

Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)

Common problems with Bitter melon

• The hard seed coat keeps unsoaked seed from sprouting.
• Left to run on the main vine only, it produces few female flowers and little fruit.
• Fruit left too long ripens yellow and bursts open.

Tips for growing Bitter melon

• Nick the tip of each seed and soak overnight for even germination.
• Pinch the main vine at five to six true leaves to get more fruitful side vines.
• When few insects visit, touch a male flower to the female flowers in the morning to pollinate.

More vegetable care guides

• CarrotDaucus carota
• CucumberCucumis sativus
• EdamameGlycine max
• EggplantSolanum melongena
• KomatsunaBrassica rapa var. perviridis
• Leaf lettuceLactuca sativa