Bitter Melon Planting Time and Cultivation Techniques: Key Points Explained

SummaryPlanting time: The planting time for bitter melon varies by region. In the south, it is generally planted from January to March, while in the north it is generally planted from March to April. Because the climate in the south is warmer, it is mostly grown in the open field, while in the north, because the climate is cold, it is mostly grown in greenhouses or greenhouses. Key technical points: choose seeds with good quality, high yield and strong disease resistance, select fertile and loose soil, transplant in a timely manner, maintain soil moisture, prevent waterlogging during the rainy season, and apply appropriate additional fertilizer during the flowering and fruiting stages.

I. Planting Time

1. Bitter melon likes high-temperature environments, and its planting time differs according to the growing region. There is a relatively large temperature difference between the north and south of China. The south is suitable for open-field planting from January to March, while the north is suitable for planting in greenhouses or greenhouses from March to April.

II. Seed Treatment

1. Seed treatment mainly includes seed selection and sprouting.

2. When selecting seeds, it is necessary to choose seeds with good quality, high yield and strong disease resistance. After selecting the seeds, they need to be scalded with hot water at 50-60 degrees. During scalding, stir the seeds gently so they are heated evenly. At the same time, it is necessary to soften the sticky substance and hard outer skin on the surface of the bitter melon seeds, which can also play a sterilizing role. The scalding time is about 20 minutes, and then soak them in warm water for 12 hours.

3. Take out the soaked seeds, remove the sticky substance on the surface, then wash them clean, wrap them well with clean gauze, and place them in an incubator at about 30 degrees or another environment for sprouting. They will begin to sprout in about 4-5 days.

III. Sowing and Transplanting

1. Bitter melon can be sown 2-3 days after sprouting, generally by direct sowing in the open field.

2. It does not have high requirements for soil, but it will grow better in fertile and loose soil.

3. When direct sowing in the open field, it is best to choose land that has not previously grown melons or fruits. When preparing the land, water the soil thoroughly. The next day, spread some new nutrient soil mixed with peat ash and organic fertilizer into the planting holes. For sowing, about 1-2 seeds per hole is enough, and finally cover with a thin layer of fine soil.

4. If sown at the end of March, transplanting can generally take place in early May. If raising seedlings in a greenhouse, after emergence and before transplanting, in order to ensure that the seedlings can better adapt to the environment, the greenhouse film can be gradually opened little by little.

IV. Daily Management

1. Daily management mainly includes field management and fertilization.

2. Bitter melon has a very high demand for water. Be sure to keep the soil moist at all times, especially in the high-temperature summer season, when it needs to be watered in the morning and evening. When watering, do not water too much at one time.

3. In cloudy, rainy or heavy rain weather, special attention should be paid to drainage measures, because bitter melon is especially afraid of waterlogging.

4. Bitter melon is a relatively fertilizer-tolerant crop. When applying base fertilizer, it must be sufficient, mainly organic fertilizer and diammonium phosphate. Apply more additional fertilizer during the flowering and fruiting stages of bitter melon, maintaining a frequency of once a week.