Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia) 

Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia) 

Net wt: 1.5g

Also known as karela,bamapalaya, balsam pear, cundeamor, foo gwa, fu kwa, fwa kwa,nigai uri, maiden’s blush, and leprosy pear. A heat-loving climbing cucurbit grown for crisp, bitter fruits. It’s best grown on a trellis, and diverse food cultures use it for both culinary and traditional medicinal purposes. Some cultures also use its leaves for herbal tea or soup. Please find out its packed health benefits online.  

Start indoors April-May and transplant seedlings after the last frost when the soil reaches 15°C+ (warm is best). Soak or scarify seeds for better germination. Space plants 40–50 cm apart in-row and 1.2–1.5 m between rows. Harvest 60–90 days: pick young, firm fruit, as the plant is frost sensitive. Chigarden 2026