Big Top green bitter gourd

Description of the variety

Big Top Bitter Gourd has vigorous vines that produce large, heavily ridged fruits with a distinctive bulging top near the stem end. The main vine produces the first female flower at 8th to 14th node and then every 3 to 6 nodes. The fruit is 20 cm X 11cm. The skin is green. The flesh is 1.3 cm thick. less bitterness. Average fruit weight of 250 - 600 gram.

Planting Guidelines

Sow seeds directly into well-drained, fertile soil once daytime temperatures consistently exceed 20°C. Choose a sunny location and provide a strong trellis or support for vertical growth. Plant seeds 2–3 cm deep, spacing them 60–90 cm apart. Keep the soil evenly moist during germination (7–14 days) and early growth. Apply compost or organic fertilizer before planting, and feed with balanced fertilizer every 3–4 weeks during the growing season. Prune excess side shoots to encourage fruiting and improve airflow.

Additional Remarks

Big Top bitter gourd is relatively hardy but may be affected by aphids, fruit flies, or powdery mildew in humid conditions. Regular harvesting of young fruits improves yield and flavor, as overripe gourds become tough and overly bitter. Training vines vertically not only saves space but also enhances fruit shape and reduces pest issues.

Diseases Information

Planting Timetable

MONTH

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

SOWING

TRANSPLANTING

HARVEST