Bitter melon is a vine that grows in tropical climates and needs plenty of water. It can be grown in containers indoors or outdoors. Place the container in an area with full sun and keep it well-watered.
Bitter melon plants need to be fertilized regularly to produce the best fruit. The plant should be fertilized two weeks after being planted out, then every two weeks until it produces fruit. Use a balanced fertilizer with micronutrients, such as 16-16-16. Water the soil before applying the fertilizer to make sure it reaches the roots.
Before you can buy the right fertilizer for your bitter melon, it is important to know the requirements of this vegetable. It needs plenty of space and a pot large enough to contain the plant. The container should have drainage holes. It should be filled with a combination of compost, vermiculite, and coir. The container should be placed in a sunny area. This plant should be watered regularly, and fertilization should be done at least twice a year.
Potassium
One of the most important nutrients for your bitter melon plant is potassium, which aids in the photosynthesis process. This element draws water into all plant cells, keeping them plump and hydrated. It also supports every type of transport in the plant. Potassium is one of several trace elements that your bitter melon plant needs to thrive. Although it’s necessary for your melon plant in small amounts, it’s critical for its growth and survival. Compost can provide this important nutrient.
The study of bitter melon plants has shown that different kinds of potassium fertilizer affect different parts of the plant. The letters indicate the concentration of K in different parts of the plant. The lower leaves (L1 and L2) were unaffected by potassium supply, while the upper leaves (L3 and L4) had a greater dry weight after receiving different levels of potassium. Potassium deficiency may lead to low potassium content in the fruit.
A recent study has shown that reducing potassium in the hydroponics solution had an impact on the mineral nutrient content of the fruits. In fact, the potassium content of melon fruit decreased by up to 47% compared to a greenhouse-grown melon with the same amount of potassium. However, when potassium is restricted, fruit yields and the quality of the fruit did not differ significantly.
Interestingly, there are two types of bitter melon, with one containing no choline and the other containing a large amount of choline. Although the leaf tips are void of choline, the pods contain 13.4 mg of choline per cup. Choline is essential for the body to maintain cell membranes, and it helps to produce low-density lipoproteins and acetylcholine. It also has the ability to lower homocysteine levels and prevent the liver from forming fat deposits.
For the best results, plant the seeds of bitter melon at least a half-inch deep in the soil. The fruit will break open to release the seeds. Native bitter melons are tipped at the ends and have triangular “teeth,” whereas plants from China and India have blunt, undulating surfaces and pointed ends. Chinese varieties include Large Top, Hong Kong Green, Southern Money Maker, and Hybrid White Pearl.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen are the three essential nutrients for growing bitter melon. These three elements play important roles in the growth and development of plants. They are important for photosynthesis and draw water into plant cells to keep them plump and hydrated. They also support every type of transport in the plant. The best fertilizer for bitter melon includes an ample supply of N-P-K. You can use high-quality compost, bone meal, and fish emulsion. Trace elements are essential for plant survival but only in tiny quantities. They can be found in homemade compost.
When choosing the best fertilizer for bitter melon, make sure the soil is well-drained and pH balanced. You should use organic matter (at least 3 inches) to improve the soil’s pH. Use an organic fertilizer of 10-30-10 to add nutrients to the soil. The best time to plant your bitter melon is in the spring or summer when the temperature is above 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Apply a 75% RD phosphorus solution to the soil before planting. Weeds can also be controlled by hoeing and stakes are required to reach the pandal. Applied four times weekly, Ethrel 100 ppm is also used to control mites and aphids. Alternatively, you can apply Malathion 50 EC or Dimethoate to help prevent leaf blight and promote fruit size.
While bitter melon does not need much fertilizer, it is crucial to provide pollinators for fruit production. Flowering begins about five weeks after planting. Male bitter melon flowers bloom for a single day before dropping. The female flowers are not bulbous. If you fail to find pollinators, you can manually pollinate your plants. If pollination is not successful, you can use hand pollution or spray your plants with a pesticide. Aphids are another common garden pest that can cause raised leaf spots.
In addition to fertilizing your plants with phosphorus, you can also harvest seeds from your own plants. You can harvest bitter melon seeds if you grow two or more types in close proximity. The seeds are edible and can be stored for several months. Just remember to keep the fruit away from dirt or moisture to avoid rotting. If you grow different types of bitter melon, be sure to separate them so you don’t cross-pollinate them.
Trace elements
The amount of fertilizer used on your bitter melon plants will depend on their variety, climate, and planting season. Fertilize during their active growth cycle, when they leave out, flower, and put on new growth. Fertilize during the growing season with FYM that is well-decomposed. It is essential to add both phosphorus and potassium to the soil before planting bitter gourd seeds.
You can also use compost to help the soil retain moisture. Compost is great for this purpose and will keep the soil from getting too waterlogged. Use a slow-release fertilizer like 5-10-10 to give the plant the nutrients it needs without the risk of the roots drying out. Comfrey tea can be substituted for fertilizer as well. The soil should be evenly moist. The roots of bitter melon do not like standing water.
Genomic SSR markers have considerable value for bitter gourd research. Genomic SSR markers have identified several genetic loci, which will facilitate the cloning of relevant genes in the future. Further, the RAD-seq methodology will help in understanding the bitter gourd’s genetic structure. By identifying specific genes, the bitter gourd genome can be characterized as a medicinal plant.
Calcium
You’ve probably heard that bitter melon needs a certain kind of calcium fertilizer to grow well. This is true, but not necessarily bitter melon fertilizer. If you’re unsure, it’s best to use a general organic fertilizer such as a bone meal. But there are many other ways to increase the calcium levels of your bitter melon’s roots. Here are a few suggestions:
Ammonium Nitrogen is not suitable for melons, as it limits their growth and quality. Use a fertilizer with nitrate nitrogen for better results. The pH level of this soil type should be 5.5 to 6.7. Boron and soluble Calcium are also useful in boosting the health of your plants. They need a balanced supply of these nutrients to grow well. And they need good drainage.
If you want to grow a high-quality bitter melon, you must give it ample sunlight and good drainage soil. Ideally, the soil should have a pH level of 5.5 to 7.2. Also, add at least three to five inches of organic matter. You can also add compost tea and comfrey tea to the soil, which is beneficial for the plant. Keep the soil moist, but not soggy or wet – the roots of the bitter melon don’t like standing water, so add a bit of organic matter every third week to the soil.
You can harvest bitter melon fruits 12-16 weeks after planting. They will be pear-shaped, green with a yellow streak on them. Harvesting the fruits will depend on the taste of the plant. A few weeks later, the female flowers will have begun to open and will drop their red-fleshed arils. Aside from pollinators, bitter melon plants are also susceptible to pests such as aphids.
When choosing a calcium fertilizer for bitter melon, the first thing to consider is whether your soil is deficient in calcium. Using a fertilizer that contains calcium in sufficient quantities is essential if you want to grow a healthy crop. But it’s not always necessary to use an expensive, ineffective product. To determine if your soil needs extra calcium, you can test the pH level of your soil. Calcium fertilizer is measured in terms of its Calcium Carbonate Equivalent or CCE value. A pure calcium carbonate has a CCE value of 100.