Bitter Melon, Satsuma Onaga

Hailing from the scenic bay area of the southwestern tip of Kyushu Island, Japan, which is known for producing some of the finest bitter melons. This is an ideal bitter melon for cooking or making into tea. Exceptionally long and slender fruit is delicious sliced and stir fried; the bitter melon’s potent superfood powers are most appreciated when paired with mellow flavors like cooked garlic and beans. This bitter melon will produce tons of snake-like fruit on long vines and is a prolific and healthful addition to the kitchen garden. It grows 16-18 inches long and matures 60-70 days from sowing. Its light green color tends to lighten to a white-green at the tip, and the teardrop bumps and ridges sometimes spiral around the long fruit. Nutritious fruit contains almost as much vitamin C as citrus!

• 60-70 Days
• Full Sun
• Sprouts in 7-21 Days
• Seed Depth: 1"
• Ideal Temperature: 75-90 Degrees F
• Plant Spacing: 24"
• Frost Hardy: No
• Momordica charantia

Growing Tips: Revels in heat and humidity. Grow up a trellis or fence. Soaking seeds overnight and nicking or splitting the tough outer seed coat may improve germination.