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Balsam Pear (Bitter Melon)

Quick Facts:

  • Widely grown in Asia and Africa
  • Warty melons ripen green to orange
  • Grown by Jefferson at Monticello
  • Traditionally stir-fried; Seed coats edible
  • 60-70 days to harvest

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Size: Packet 10 Seeds

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Balsam Pear (Bitter Melon)

More about Balsam Pear

Momordica charantia

Balsam Pear is a tropical vine produces bizarre, green warty fruit that ripen to yellow-orange before bursting open to reveal slimy, red-coated seeds.  Widely grown in parts of Asia and Africa where it is used in traditional cuisine as well as in medicine.  This particular strain originates from Thomas Jefferson's collection at Monticello.  Fruit have a very bitter taste and are best eaten while still green and crunchy.  Vines grow 12-15 feet.  60-70 days to harvest.  10 seeds per packet.

Momordica charantia

Balsam Pear is a tropical vine produces bizarre, green warty fruit that ripen to yellow-orange before bursting open to reveal slimy, red-coated seeds.  Widely grown in parts of Asia and Africa where it is used in traditional cuisine as well as in medicine.  This particular strain originates from Thomas Jefferson's collection at Monticello.  Fruit have a very bitter taste and are best eaten while still green and crunchy.  Vines grow 12-15 feet.  60-70 day... read more

read less

Momordica charantia

Balsam Pear is a tropical vine produces bizarre, green warty fruit that ripen to yellow-orange before bursting open to reveal slimy, red-coated seeds.  Widely grown in parts of Asia and Africa where it is used in traditional cuisine as well as in medicine.  This particular strain originates from Thomas Jefferson's collection at Monticello.  Fruit have a very bitter taste and are best eaten while still green and crunchy.  Vines grow 12-15 feet.  60-70 days to harvest.  10 seeds per packet.

Bucket of heirloom beans
Bucket of heirloom beans

How to Grow Bitter Melons

Balsam pear, also known as bitter melon, requires well-drained soil with a pH range of 5.5 to 7.0. It prefers full sun exposure and requires at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Balsam pear can be cared for in a similar manner to a cucumber or gourd. The plants vine extensively and do well when given support in the form of a fence or trellis. This also helps to make mature fruit easy to spot.

After danger of frost has passed, sow seeds 1ft apart, 1/2" deep along a trellis or fence line. Germination can be improved by soaking seeds for 24 hours prior to sowing. Under ideal conditions, seedlings will emerge in 7-14 days.

In areas with short summers, balsam pear can be started indoors 4 weeks before the last frost and transplanted outdoors after danger of frost has passed. Be careful not to disturb the roots while transplanting or use peat pots which can be placed directly in the soil.

Insect Pests

Few pests are known to affect balsam pear.

Diseases & Other Problems

Balsam pear is not commonly affected by disease. Growing plants on a trellis or fence will help improve air circulation and prevent disease.

To harvest balsam pear, wait until the fruit is fully grown, approximately 3-5 inches in length, and turns a light green color. Cut the fruit from the vine using sharp garden scissors. Balsam pear can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.

CONSIDERATIONS:

Bitter melon is an outbreeding plant with pollination primarily being performed by insects. It will not cross with other melons, however if more than one variety of bitter melon is grown, they should be isolated by at least one quarter mile. Alternatively, plants may be grown in cages with introduced pollinators.

HARVESTING SEED:

As bitter melons reach full maturity, the fruit will begin to turn yellow and the blossom end will open to reveal the seeds which are covered in a red gelatinous coating. Once they are fully mature, the seeds will slide out and fall on the ground. It is therefore recommended that the fruit are harvested just as they begin to change color. They can then be brough indoors and allowed to fully ripen. To harvest the seeds, open the melon and scoop out the red seeds. Place them, coat and all, on a paper plate to finish drying. After a day or so, the mature seeds can be peeled from their coatings, which will remain stuck to the plate.

SEED LONGETIVITY:

Balsam pear seeds will remain viable for up to three years when stored under ideal conditions.

Mom and daughter planting seeds

Customer Reviews

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Lalita Sankaran
Bitter melon

Sadly, there are no signs of the melon sprouting in the ground after 3 weeks! I was going to plant a 2nd round in a pot indoors and see what happens.
Do you have any suggestions??
Thanks, Lalita Sankaran

Hi Lalita, thanks for your review. The biggest challenge with growing bitter melon is to keep the soil very warm and moist during germination. When starting indoors, we use a grower's heat mat with a soil temp of at least 85 degrees. A dome over the top will help the soil stay moist until the seeds are up. We'll get some more seeds headed your way so you can try another round.

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