Climate and soil requirements: Bitter gourd thrives in warm and humid climates with temperatures ranging from 25°C to 35°C. They prefer well-drained, fertile soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 6.5.
Seed sowing: Sow bitter gourd seeds in a seed tray or directly in the soil. The seeds should be sown 1-2 cm deep and spaced 30-40 cm apart. Once the seedlings have grown to a height of 10-15 cm, thin them to one plant per pot or hole.
Sunlight and watering: Bitter gourd requires full sunlight for at least 6-8 hours a day. Water the plants regularly, especially during the flowering and fruiting stages. Make sure the soil remains moist but not waterlogged.
Fertilization: Bitter gourd plants require regular fertilization to produce healthy fruits. Apply organic manure or compost at the time of planting and every month thereafter. You can also use chemical fertilizers as per the instructions on the packet.
Trellising: Bitter gourd is a vine plant and needs support for climbing. Install a trellis or a bamboo frame to provide support for the plant.
Pest and disease control: Bitter gourd is susceptible to pests like fruit flies and diseases like powdery mildew. Use organic to control these pests and diseases.
Thinning and pruning: Thin the plants regularly to ensure each plant has enough space to grow. Prune the lateral shoots and tendrils to control the growth and improve fruiting.
Harvesting: Bitter gourd takes about 60-70 days to mature. The fruits are ready for harvesting when they are about 10-15 cm long and have a dark green color. Cut the fruits from the plant using a sharp knife or shears.
In grow bags, the process is similar to growing in a home garden. Make sure the grow bags have good drainage and provide enough depth for the roots to grow. The same soil, sunlight, and watering requirements apply, but you may need to water more frequently as the soil in grow bags can dry out quickly.
Seed sowing: Sow bitter gourd seeds in a seed tray or directly in the soil. The seeds should be sown 1-2 cm deep and spaced 30-40 cm apart. Once the seedlings have grown to a height of 10-15 cm, thin them to one plant per pot or hole.
Sunlight and watering: Bitter gourd requires full sunlight for at least 6-8 hours a day. Water the plants regularly, especially during the flowering and fruiting stages. Make sure the soil remains moist but not waterlogged.
Fertilization: Bitter gourd plants require regular fertilization to produce healthy fruits. Apply organic manure or compost at the time of planting and every month thereafter. You can also use chemical fertilizers as per the instructions on the packet.
Trellising: Bitter gourd is a vine plant and needs support for climbing. Install a trellis or a bamboo frame to provide support for the plant.
Pest and disease control: Bitter gourd is susceptible to pests like fruit flies and diseases like powdery mildew. Use organic to control these pests and diseases.
Thinning and pruning: Thin the plants regularly to ensure each plant has enough space to grow. Prune the lateral shoots and tendrils to control the growth and improve fruiting.
Harvesting: Bitter gourd takes about 60-70 days to mature. The fruits are ready for harvesting when they are about 10-15 cm long and have a dark green color. Cut the fruits from the plant using a sharp knife or shears.
In grow bags, the process is similar to growing in a home garden. Make sure the grow bags have good drainage and provide enough depth for the roots to grow. The same soil, sunlight, and watering requirements apply, but you may need to water more frequently as the soil in grow bags can dry out quickly.