Agricultural technology for growing bitter melon seeds
Bitter melon, or momordica, is an annual herbaceous plant that belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family. Bitter melon is a valuable crop that is used as food in the form of fruit and also for the treatment of various diseases.
Bitter melon can be grown in a variety of climate zones, but it grows best in regions with warm, humid climates.
1. Variety selection
When choosing a bitter melon variety, you need to consider the following factors:
- Purpose of cultivation. For food consumption, varieties with large and sweet fruits are selected, and for treatment - with small and bitter fruits.
- Maturing period. Bitter melon is available in early, mid and late ripening varieties. Early-ripening varieties of bitter melon are ready for harvesting 60-70 days after sowing, mid-ripening - after 70-80 days, late-ripening - after 80-90 days.
2. Soil preparation
Bitter melon is a heat-loving crop, so for its cultivation it is necessary to prepare fertile, loose and neutral soil. In autumn, the site is dug up to a depth of 25-30 cm and organic fertilizers (manure, compost, humus) are applied at the rate of 5-6 kg per 1 m². In spring, the soil is leveled and furrows 2-3 cm deep are made.
3. Sowing seeds
Bitter melon seeds are sown in spring, when the soil temperature at a depth of 10 cm reaches +10-12 °C.
2-3 seeds are sown in each furrow at a distance of 20-25 cm from each other. After germination, one of the strongest plants is left.
4. Plant care
Bitter melon is a moisture-loving crop, so it needs to be watered regularly. Water the plants 2-3 times a week, using 10-15 liters of water per 1 m².
During the period of active plant growth, 2-3 fertilizing with mineral fertilizers is carried out. The first feeding is carried out in the phase of 3-4 true leaves, the second - in the flowering phase, the third - in the fruiting phase.
The following fertilizers are used for fertilizing:
- Nitrogen fertilizers (ammonium nitrate, urea) - promote the growth of leaves and stems.
- Phosphorus fertilizers (superphosphate, double superphosphate) - promote the development of the root system and flowering.
- Potassium fertilizers (potassium chloride, potassium magnesium) - promote fruit development.
Weeding is carried out to control weeds. To protect plants from pests and diseases, plants are sprayed with special preparations.
5. Harvest
Bitter melon is ready to harvest when the fruits are fully ripe and have acquired their characteristic color. Early-ripening varieties of bitter melon are harvested in July, mid-ripening in August, late-ripening in September.
Bitter melon fruits are cut with scissors or a sickle. Store the fruits in a cool, dry place.
Some Tips for Growing Bitter Melon
- To obtain an earlier harvest, bitter melon can be grown as seedlings. Seeds are sown in pots or boxes in late April - early May. Seedlings are planted in open ground in late May - early June, when the threat of frost has passed.
- To increase the yield of bitter melon, it can be grown on a compost heap. The compost heap warms up faster than the soil, so seeds can be sown as early as early May.
- To protect bitter melon from pests and diseases, it can be planted next to marigolds, calendula or nasturtium. These plants repel insect pests.
Bitter melon can be grown in a variety of climate zones, but it grows best in regions with warm, humid climates.
1. Variety selection
When choosing a bitter melon variety, you need to consider the following factors:
- Purpose of cultivation. For food consumption, varieties with large and sweet fruits are selected, and for treatment - with small and bitter fruits.
- Maturing period. Bitter melon is available in early, mid and late ripening varieties. Early-ripening varieties of bitter melon are ready for harvesting 60-70 days after sowing, mid-ripening - after 70-80 days, late-ripening - after 80-90 days.
2. Soil preparation
Bitter melon is a heat-loving crop, so for its cultivation it is necessary to prepare fertile, loose and neutral soil. In autumn, the site is dug up to a depth of 25-30 cm and organic fertilizers (manure, compost, humus) are applied at the rate of 5-6 kg per 1 m². In spring, the soil is leveled and furrows 2-3 cm deep are made.
3. Sowing seeds
Bitter melon seeds are sown in spring, when the soil temperature at a depth of 10 cm reaches +10-12 °C.
2-3 seeds are sown in each furrow at a distance of 20-25 cm from each other. After germination, one of the strongest plants is left.
4. Plant care
Bitter melon is a moisture-loving crop, so it needs to be watered regularly. Water the plants 2-3 times a week, using 10-15 liters of water per 1 m².
During the period of active plant growth, 2-3 fertilizing with mineral fertilizers is carried out. The first feeding is carried out in the phase of 3-4 true leaves, the second - in the flowering phase, the third - in the fruiting phase.
The following fertilizers are used for fertilizing:
- Nitrogen fertilizers (ammonium nitrate, urea) - promote the growth of leaves and stems.
- Phosphorus fertilizers (superphosphate, double superphosphate) - promote the development of the root system and flowering.
- Potassium fertilizers (potassium chloride, potassium magnesium) - promote fruit development.
Weeding is carried out to control weeds. To protect plants from pests and diseases, plants are sprayed with special preparations.
5. Harvest
Bitter melon is ready to harvest when the fruits are fully ripe and have acquired their characteristic color. Early-ripening varieties of bitter melon are harvested in July, mid-ripening in August, late-ripening in September.
Bitter melon fruits are cut with scissors or a sickle. Store the fruits in a cool, dry place.
Some Tips for Growing Bitter Melon
- To obtain an earlier harvest, bitter melon can be grown as seedlings. Seeds are sown in pots or boxes in late April - early May. Seedlings are planted in open ground in late May - early June, when the threat of frost has passed.
- To increase the yield of bitter melon, it can be grown on a compost heap. The compost heap warms up faster than the soil, so seeds can be sown as early as early May.
- To protect bitter melon from pests and diseases, it can be planted next to marigolds, calendula or nasturtium. These plants repel insect pests.