Bitter gourd, or karela, is grown for its characteristic bitter fruit, eaten fresh and valued in traditional diets. Hybrids are bred for uniform fruit size and colour, a long harvest window and vines that keep setting fruit through the season.
Growing notes
Direct-sown and grown on a trellis or bower. Fruit is picked young, before the skin begins to turn colour. The crop prefers warm weather and consistent moisture.
- Sow after the soil warms
- Train vines on a bower for clean, straight fruit
- Harvest at 12–15 cm, while still dark green