I am going to provide all the information about how to grow Bitter Melon vegetables in pots step by step with an update from the sowing of seeds till harvesting. How is the soil prepared for Bitter Melon Vegetables? Which fertilizer and how much has to be given to it? How to protect Bitter Melon trees from leaf curl and other diseases and insects? How to take care of Bitter Melon to get more vegetables?
Planting Bitter Melon Vegetables from Seeds
You can grow Bitter Melon Vegetables by obtaining Bitter Melon seeds from an agriculture store, acquiring hybrid small plants from a nursery, or extracting seeds from fresh Bitter Melon. Bitter Melon thrives in temperatures ranging from 10 to 20 degrees Celsius and being a tropical tree, it can be cultivated year-round, with the optimal times for growth being February-May. The entire process, from seed planting to vegetable growing, typically spans 60-75 days.
To grow Bitter Melon Vegetables from seeds, I started by selecting a good variety of indigenous Bitter Melon. I extracted the seeds from the Bitter Melon and then allowed them to soak for 12 hours before planting. I kept the seedlings pot in semi-shaded areas for 2 to 3 days. Then I created a germination mix consisting of 50% garden soil and 50% cocopeat, slightly moistening it. I filled a seedling tray or small grow bags with the prepared mix to facilitate faster plant growth. I planted the seeds in the mix by making half-inch-deep holes in the soil, then watered them lightly. Subsequently, I watered only when the soil feels dry to the touch.
I placed the seedlings in an area that received sunlight for two to three hours in the morning. After about 15 days, the seeds were germinated, and the plant was developed by 2 or 3 leaves. I maintained the seedlings in a shaded area. By day 28, the plant reached a height of approximately 8-9 inches and exhibited robust growth.
Container Selection
If you’re cultivating Bitter Melon in a container, it’s essential to select the largest available size for optimal fruiting. I chose a container measuring at least 24 inches wide and 18 inches deep. Growing a Bitter Melon tree in a small pot stunts its growth, resulting in a thin stem and no fruit production. Alternatively, consider using a grow bag sized 24’’ * 24’’ or repurpose an old drum for planting. I’m cultivating Bitter Melon in a half-drum container that’s 24 inches wide.
Soil Preparation
I need soil that drains well and is rich in nutrients. For creating such soil, I combined 50% garden soil, 40% organic compost, 5% neem cake powder, and 5% bone dust. Additionally, I added 1 teaspoon of Trichodarma powder acts as a natural antifungal. Once the soil was prepared, I filled the container.
Then, I carefully removed the plant from its packet, observing its developed root system. Loosen the roots by removing some soil without disturbing the root ball. I transplanted the baby bitter gourd plants into the container that I selected and watered thoroughly. After two to three days in the shade, I placed it in full sunlight as Bitter Melon trees require at least 5 to 6 hours of sunlight to thrive.
After 30 days, significant growth was observed with the plant reaching around 3 to 4 feet in height and thickening. However, at that stage, I grew this plant by providing support on a horizontal trellis.
Fertilizing and Watering the Bitter Melons
If you’re cultivating Bitter Melon plants in a container, regular fertilization is essential for proper growth. Organic manure is recommended, eliminating the need for chemical fertilizers. After 1 week, 4-5 handfuls of well-rotted cow dung to a container of appropriate size, and I mixed it into the soil. While Bitter Melon trees in the ground absorb micronutrients from the soil, potted plants may require supplementation. For optimal growth, mustered cake fertilizer has been employed for the better nutrition of the Bitter Melon plants.
After 40 days of transferring baby Bitter Melon plants in a 24-inch container, flowers were coming out and significant growth was observed in the Bitter Melon trees. The stems have thickened, and large leaves have emerged. Flowering has also commenced. Once flowering begins, it’s crucial to provide organic compost or dung manure to the Bitter Melon tree as it requires ample energy for flower and fruit production. I applied 200 gm vermicompost to boost the nutrition of the Bitter Melon tree. When the Bitter Melon tree was in the flowering stage, I watered the container only when the soil felt dry to the touch to avoid flower drops caused by overwatering.
Distinguishing between male and female flowers is straightforward during this stage: male flowers are slender and elongated, whereas female flowers have a small fruit forming underneath or behind the flower.
Pollination of Bitter Melon Plants
If you can plant aromatic flowering plants in your rooftop garden, many pollinators like bees and butterflies will come, and they will pollinate fruit plants. Through this pollination, I have obtained a lot of fruits in my rooftop garden. Female flowers can dry and may fall on their own. Due to a lack of pollination, female flowers cannot convert into fruit and fall prematurely. In this case, you can apply hand pollination.
For hand pollination, I took a paintbrush. And inserted the paintbrush inside the male flower and rotated it gently. This has been transferred to the pollen onto the brush. Then, I placed the brush in the center of the female flower, collected the pollen, and transferred it inside the female flower. This type of hand pollination makes it certain to turn a flower into a fruit. After 10 days of hand pollination, female flowers have converted into fruits.
Harvesting Stage
After 60 days it has matured enough to take the Bitter Melon vegetables from the tree and you can taste it. Since Bitter melon is abundant in vitamin C, serving as an excellent immunity booster while also promoting healthy skin and bones.
Bitter Melon Diseases and Pests Management
Bitter Melon plants are susceptible to infestation by juice-sucking insects like spider mites, aphids, and thrips. To ward off these pests, it’s recommended to spray the Bitter Melon plant regularly, starting from the seeding stage, with a solution of 5ml neem oil mixed with 1 liter of water after 30 days to protect from the insects. To prevent whiteflies in the early stages, spray it on the infested plant. You can also use the pheromone trap to protect your Bitter Melon plants from fruit flies.
