Bitter Melon, Bitter Gourds, Momordica Charantia，苦瓜
Momordica Charantia
Momordica charantia is a tropical and subtropical vine of the family Cucurbitaceae, widely grown in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean for its edible fruit. Its many varieties differ substantially in the shape and bitterness of the fruit.
Pinch tip at 70 cm to 1 meter height.
Minimum plant base per Stalk:
30 × 30 × 20 cm ( Volume = 0.3×0.3×0.2 = 0.018 meters3 = 18 Litre )
soil volume (liters) 15–20 L
40% soil+ 40% compost
+ 20% sand
leafy greens on top or edge;
fast harvest.
🥒 Bitter Gourd No. 4 (Bottom – Arms Broken)This one looks dramatic but is actually very promising.What happenedMain arms broken → plant switched to survival modeBitter gourd naturally fruits on lateralsResult: many side shoots (exactly what we want)
⭐ Bitter Gourd Pruning Rule (IMPORTANT)
Bitter gourd fruits on many laterals.
Use this simple 3-step rule:
1️⃣ Choose 3–4 strongest laterals
Look for:
Thicker stemHealthy dark green leavesGrowing outward (not crossing)👉 These become your fruiting arms
2️⃣ Remove the rest gradually
❌ Cut:
Thin, weak shootsShoots growing downward or inwardCrowded shoots near the base
✂ Don’t remove everything at once — spread it over a few days.
3️⃣ After flowering starts
Let each lateral grow ~60–80 cmThen pinch the tip
➡ This forces female flowers + fruit set
Main stem (damaged)||—— Keep lateral A → fruit|—— Keep lateral B → fruit|—— Keep lateral C → fruit|—— Remove weak shoots
Bitter gourd is heavy fruit
Use fruit nets (you already collected them 👍)
Ensure sun + airflow
Don’t overwater after pruning (prevents rot)
🥒 BITTER GOURD No.4 – EXACT PRUNING GUIDE
Since the main arms broke, we will rebuild the plant using laterals (this is actually ideal for fruiting).
🔢 Step 1: Count Nodes (Very Important)
A node = where a leaf + tendril + lateral (or bud) comes out.Start counting from the soil level upward.
✂️ Step 2: What to REMOVE (Do this first)
❌ Remove ALL laterals and buds (keep their leaves) at:
Node 1–5 (bottom 20–30 cm)
Reason:
Poor airflow (improve airflow)Weak fruit (Strong main vine)Disease risk (Cleaner trunk)
👉 Cut them flush, clean cut.
⭐ Step 3: What to KEEP (Core Decision)
✅ Choose 3 or 4 laterals ONLY from:
Node 6–12
Pick laterals that:
Are thickerHave bigger leavesGrow outward / upwardAre not crossing each other
👉 These become your main fruiting arms
✂️ Step 4: Remove the Rest (Gradually)
If you see:
6–8 laterals totalKeep 3–4Remove the weakest 1–2 per day
⚠️ Don’t strip everything at once — bitter gourd hates shock.
🌼 Step 5: After Flowers Appear (CRITICAL)
Bitter gourd fruits on laterals, but too long = leaves only.When a kept lateral reaches: 60–80 cm
OR
After 2–3 female flowers
✂️ Pinch the tip
➡ This forces:
Female flowersFruit swelling instead of vine length
🥒 Step 6: Fruit Load Control (IMPORTANT)
Per plant:
First round: 3 fruits max
After harvest: allow another 3–4
If too many fruits set:❌ Remove smallest ones earlyReason:
Bigger, straighter gourdsLess stress on roots
relocate these four pots against the eastern wall out to the front together with the 3m x 3m x 2.4m arch trellis for easy maintenance, to receive better sun lights and air flow.
20251109 10 am Sunday hot morning
this black container with holes sitting inside a white tub is a basic Deep Water Culture (DWC)–style hydroponic setup, or what’s sometimes called a “passive hydro box”.
It’s simple, effective, and well suited for testing bitter gourd and leafy vegetables.
20241028 Monday 1124 Sunny
It grows. But no clue what "gua". Got to wait and see.
20211209 Thursday 1000 hot morning
Day
20211019 Tuesday 1000 Hot Morning.
20211004 Monday 1600 Sunny Afternoon.
Added in seeds of small bitter gourds.
20200913
20200224
Bitter Gourds Seedlings
20210809 Monday
Happy 56th National Day
Bitter Gourds Seedlings
20200615 Bitter Gourds Seedlings
