Bitter Gourd Seeds – Karela Seeds (5GM)

Growing your own bitter gourd is a good way to stay safe during a pandemic. It is pesticide-free and full of nutrients. You can easily grow it from karela seeds.

Botanical Name: Momordica charantia

Other Names: Bitter cucumber, Bitter squash, Balsam-pear, Goya, Nigauri, Peria and Indian bitter melons

Growing Season: January-April and June-August

Ideal Temperature: 15-30°C

Uses: Utilize karela in making tasty sabzis and snacks

Difficulty Level: Easy

How to Grow – Quick View

• Sandy loam soil
• 6-8 hours of daily sunlight
• Water regularly to keep the soil moist
• Fertilize every month with cow manure

How to Sow Seeds

• Soak the seeds in water overnight.
• Sow them directly in the ground and cover with soil. Make sure the seeds are not too close to each other.
• For growing bitter gourds on terrace, take a small pot, fill it with potting mix and sow one or two seeds 0.5 inch deep in it.

Seed Care

• Water the seeds regularly
• Choose a location that receives full sunlight

How to Care for Bitter Gourd

Sunlight: Grow bitter gourds in a location where they can receive six hours of sunlight. Terrace is the ideal location if you are growing karela in pots.

Watering: Water the plant every day to keep the soil moist.

Soil: Bitter gourd prefers sandy loam soil to thrive well. You can use black soil if sandy loam is unavailable.

Fertilizer: Fertilize every month with an organic fertilizer.

Pests and Diseases: Powdery mildew, aphids, and fruit flies can affect the growth of karelas. So look for early signs of infections and use the right pesticides.

Harvesting: Bitter gourds are ready to harvest after 55-60 days of sowing the seeds. You can easily pick them with the help of scissors and store in the refrigerator.