Gourd Seeds - Bitter Mara Hybrid
50-55 days maturity after transplanting. Momordica charantia ’Mara’. Mara Bitter Gourd Seeds. Non-GMO, warm-season, annual, hybrid. The Mara gourd is a classic bitter gourd that is much less bitter than the typical Indian types. It is a vigorous, high-yielding, and high-quality fruit. This open-pollinated plant creates large, cylindrical, and shiny green fruits that grow up to 3 inches wide and 11 inches long. The typical fruit weighs about one pound. Approx 195 seeds / oz.
Bitter Gourd Seeds - Mara - Hybrid
Download Free Vegetable Growing Guide PDF
Other Common Names: African cucumber, alligator pear, amargoso, ampalaya, balsam pear, bitter cucumber, karella, bitter melon, daun peria katak, dau peria, foo gwa yip, fu gua, fu kwa, fwa kwa, jin li zhi, karawila, karela, kaveli, kho qua, ku gua, la kho qua, lao pu tao, maha, mara, muop dang, niga uri, palia, pare, pare pahit, paria, peria, peria katak, phakha, reishi, ssunoi, or tsuru reishi.
How to Grow Mara Bitter Gourd
Plant outside after the risk of frost has past. Bitter gourd seeds demand temperatures of at least 65 Degrees Fahrenheit. to germinate. For optimal results, wait until it is consistently warm before direct sowing outdoors. For improved germination rates, pre-sprout seeds indoors by soaking them in water for one day. Wrap the seeds in a damp towel and keep them between 75-85 Degrees Fahrenheit. For more detailed information, see our article about sprouting hard gourd seeds linked below.
Maintain moisture in the soil throughout the growing season. Add fertilizer if needed; train to climb a vertical support for more air circulation and an easy harvest. Hand pollination is required to grow fruit. To lessen the bitterness and delay the ripening process, protect the developing fruits from direct sunlight.
Harvesting Mara Bitter Gourd
Harvest this variety when it is between 7 and 12 inches long. Remove the bitter gourds from the plant before they are ripe and when they are still firm; they ripen quickly on or off the plant.
Culinary Tips
These gourds are bitter when uncooked. To prepare it for cooking, remove the seeds and pith and cook the slices. Bitter melons are outstanding in soups and scrumptious when added to stir-fries. Try them stuffed with pork, or seafood, or cooked with fermented black beans. The young shoots and leaves are parboiled and rinsed before being cooked like greens.
Tips From Our Gardeners
“Add this gourd sliced into Chinese cuisine for an authentic boost!”
| - Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer |
Articles on Gourds
"How To Germinate Hard Gourd Seeds"
Seeds Per Package
- 2 gram packet - Approximately 14 Seeds
- 1 oz - Approximately 195 Seeds
- 4 oz - Approximately 780 Seeds
- 1 lb - Approximately 3,120 Seeds
- 5 lb - Approximately 15,600 Seeds
- 25 lb - Approximately 78,000 Seeds
Basic Info
| Latin Name: | Momordica charantia ‘Mara’ |
| Mara Bitter Gourd Color: | Green |
Growing Info
| Days to Maturity: | 50-55 days |
| Days to Germination: | 8-10 Days |
| Seeding Depth: | .5 inch |
| Row Spacing: | 36-48 inches |
| Plant Height: | Vines up to 15 feet |
| Growth Habit: | Vigorous vine |
| Soil Preference: | Bitter gourd plants adjust with ease to many soil types but always need lots of water |
Other
| Plant Width: | 24-36 inches |