The growing environment and local conditions of bitter melon

Bitter Melon Growth Environment and Conditions

Bitter melon was previously distributed in East India, but has since been widely cultivated in temperate regions of the world. It is widely distributed in China, and is commonly cultivated in both the north and south.

Bitter Melon Growing Conditions

Bitter melon likes high temperature environment, is heat-resistant but not cold-resistant. It is also a short-day crop. It likes sunny environment and is not shade-tolerant. It needs to maintain moist soil environment during the growth period, requiring 70-80% relative air temperature and soil relative humidity.

Bitter melon growth temperature

1. Bitter melon has strong adaptability to temperature and can adapt to 10-35 degrees. According to test data, bitter melon seeds are suitable for germination at 30-35 degrees. Although the seed coat of bitter melon is thick, it is soaked in 40-50℃ warm water in advance to germinate. After 48 hours, it will begin to germinate, and the germination rate is still very high.

2. When the ambient temperature of bitter melon is lower than 20 degrees, it will germinate slowly. When the ambient temperature is lower than 13 degrees, it will germinate easily. When the temperature is around 25 degrees, it will germinate quickly. 4-5 true leaves can be grown in half a month. The best temperature for bitter melon to bloom and bear fruit is around 25 degrees. Within the range of 14-25 degrees, the higher the temperature, the better the growth and development of bitter melon, the earlier the fruiting and the higher the yield.

The growth process of bitter melon

1. Before planting bitter melon, you need to choose a good variety. The large white bitter melon and green bitter melon 915 bred by the Vegetable and Flower Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences have good quality and high disease resistance.

2. Bitter melon needs to be soaked in 55-degree hot water before sowing. When the temperature drops to 30 degrees, soak the seeds for 12 hours. After that, you can take them out, wrap them in clean gauze, and place them in an incubator at about 30 degrees to germinate.

3. Wash with warm water every day. The seeds will start to germinate in about 4-5 days. This can eliminate the bacteria carried by the seeds and ensure a high germination rate.

Bitter melon planting time and method

1. The best time to plant bitter melon needs to be determined according to the growth environment and temperature. Usually the most suitable time for bitter melon is in March in spring. The seedlings will be successfully grown in the greenhouse and then transplanted. The bitter melon grown in this way can be sown in advance in February.

2. The best time to plant bitter melon in North China is from late March to early April. Seedlings should be raised in greenhouses and transplanted in early May.

3. If it is an area with relatively high temperature, it can be planted in mid-March and can be transplanted in mid-April. The best time to plant bitter melon in the southern region is before March. Summer bitter melon can be planted around April, and autumn bitter melon can be planted around June-July. If there are certain insulation conditions, bitter melon can also be planted in winter.

4. Before planting bitter melon, you need to soak its seeds in clean water for about 5 hours, so that the germination speed will be faster after sowing. After planting, you need to cover the soil surface with a layer of plastic film for insulation and moisture retention. Only sufficient temperature can make its seeds germinate. Try to choose loose, nutrient-rich, and water-retaining soil for planting.