How to grow bitter melon
Bitter melon is a vegetable with rich nutrition and high medicinal value. In recent years, it has been favored by more and more home planting enthusiasts. This article will combine the hot topics and hot content on the Internet in the past 10 days to introduce you to the growing method of bitter melon in detail, including seed selection, seedling raising, transplanting, field management and other key links, and attach structured data for your reference.
1. Basic information on growing bitter melon
Bitter melon (scientific name: Momordica charantia) belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family and is an annual climbing herb native to tropical Asia. Its fruit is rich in nutrients such as vitamin C and charantin, and has the effects of clearing away heat, detoxifying, and lowering blood sugar.
| project | data |
|---|---|
| growth cycle | 80-120 days |
| suitable temperature | 20-30℃ |
| pH range | 5.5-6.5 |
| Yield per mu | 2000-3000kg |
2. Detailed steps for growing bitter melon
1. Seed selection and seed treatment
Selecting varieties with good quality and strong disease resistance is the first step to successful planting. Common varieties currently on the market include:
| Variety name | Features | Suitable area |
|---|---|---|
| White Jade Bitter Melon | Light green color, light bitter taste | most of the country |
| Emerald green bitter melon | Dark green, strong disease resistance | southern region |
| Pearl Bitter Melon | Fruits are short, crisp and tender in taste | Greenhouse cultivation |
Seed treatment steps:
1) Soak the seeds in 50℃ warm water for 10 minutes to sterilize
2) Then soak in 30℃ warm water for 8-12 hours
3) Take it out and wrap it with wet cloth, and place it in an environment of 25-30℃ for germination.
2. Seedling management
Seedling cultivation is a key link in bitter gourd planting, which directly affects later growth conditions. The following are things to note when raising seedlings:
| Seedling factors | Specific requirements |
|---|---|
| Matrix ratio | Garden soil: decomposed organic fertilizer = 3:1 |
| Sowing depth | 1-1.5cm |
| Seedling temperature | 25-30℃ during the day, 18-20℃ at night |
| Lighting requirements | Not less than 6 hours a day |
3. Transplanting and colonization
The seedlings can be transplanted when they have 3-4 true leaves. The following preparations need to be made before transplanting:
1) Land preparation: plow the soil 25-30cm deep, apply 3000-4000kg of decomposed organic fertilizer per acre
2) Border specifications: border width 1.2-1.5 meters, trench width 30 cm
3) Planting density: 40-50 cm between plants, 60-80 cm between rows
| Planting method | Density (plants/acre) | Yield (kg/mu) |
|---|---|---|
| Single row planting | 800-1000 | 2000-2500 |
| double row planting | 1200-1500 | 2500-3000 |
4. Field management
(1) Water and fertilizer management
Bitter melon needs a lot of water during its growth period, but avoid water accumulation. Top dressing should follow the principle of "light before, medium and heavy at the end":
| growth stage | Fertilizer type | Dosage (kg/mu) |
|---|---|---|
| seedling stage | Mainly nitrogen fertilizer | 5-8 |
| flowering period | Mainly phosphorus and potassium fertilizers | 10-15 |
| fruiting period | Compound fertilizer | 15-20 |
(2) Pruning to attract vines
Bitter melon is a vine plant and requires timely trellising to guide the vines. Generally, a "herringbone" shaped frame or flat scaffolding is used, with a height of 1.8-2 meters. Pruning method:
1) When the main vine grows to 30 cm, start to lead the vines to the shelves
2) Keep the main vine and 2-3 strong side vines
3) Remove old leaves, diseased leaves and overly dense branches and leaves promptly
(3) Pest and disease control
Common bitter melon pests and diseases and their control methods:
| Name of pests and diseases | Symptoms | Prevention and control methods |
|---|---|---|
| powdery mildew | White powder appears on the leaves | Spray 50% carbendazim 800 times solution |
| aphid | The young leaves are curled with honeydew | Spray 10% imidacloprid 2000 times solution |
| melon fruit fly | Fruit has insect holes and rot | Hanging yellow sticky boards to trap and kill |
3. Harvesting and storage
Bitter melon can usually be harvested 12-15 days after flowering. Harvesting standards:
1) The peel has obvious tumor-like protrusions and is shiny
2) The fruit has not turned yellow yet
3) It is better to harvest in the morning or evening
Storage method:
| Storage method | temperature | humidity | save time |
|---|---|---|---|
| normal temperature | 20-25℃ | 60-70% | 3-5 days |
| refrigeration | 10-12℃ | 85-90% | 7-10 days |
4. Planting Tips
1. Bitter melon likes a warm and humid environment. In northern areas, early-maturing varieties can be selected or grown in greenhouses.
2. Crop rotation with crops such as corn and beans can reduce the occurrence of soil-borne diseases
3. Properly retaining some old melons can promote the growth of new melons
4. Using black mulching film can effectively inhibit the growth of weeds
Through the above detailed planting guide, I believe you have mastered the key techniques of growing bitter melon. As long as you follow scientific management methods, you can harvest high-quality bitter melons. I wish you success in planting!
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