Easy method of cultivating bitter gourd in a pot
Bitter gourd is a very well-known summer vegetable. However, now bitter gourd is cultivated all year round. Bitter gourd is a very beneficial vegetable for the human body. It can be eaten fried or cooked as a curry. Let’s find out how to cultivate bitter gourd on the roof or in a tub at home.
Benefits of bitter gourd:
Bitter gourd juice contains anti-inflammatory ingredients, which reduce the body’s cholesterol levels. The antioxidants in bitter gourd juice increase the brightness of the skin and hair and help cure skin diseases. Bitter gourd juice is also very beneficial in losing weight. Bitter gourd juice burns fat cells and prevents the formation of new fat cells.
Soil preparation for bitter gourd cultivation:
Bitter gourd can be cultivated in almost all soils. However, the yield is better if cultivated in loamy and sandy loamy soils rich in organic matter. To cultivate bitter gourd, first mix 2 parts loam or sandy loam soil, 1 part cow dung, 20-30 grams of TSP fertilizer, 20-30 grams of potash fertilizer, fill a drum with water and leave it for a week. Then, turn or shake the soil a little and leave it like this for another 4-5 days.
Sowing and transplanting:
To grow bitter gourd in pots, sow the seeds in small pots or seed trays with well-drained potting mix. Seeds should be sown approximately 1 inch deep. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Germination takes about 7-14 days, depending on the temperature.
Once the seedlings have developed a few true leaves and are strong enough to handle, they can be transplanted into pots. Make sure that there is only one plant in each pot so that there is enough room for growth. Place the pots in a sunny location where the plant can get at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
Irrigation:
The soil in the drum or pot should be soaked with water a day or 24 hours before sowing the bitter gourd seeds. After sowing the seeds, the soil should be leveled and pressed down with your hands. After sowing the bitter gourd seeds, it should be watered regularly. But care should be taken that no water accumulates in the pot or at the base of the plant. Otherwise, the roots of the plant will rot. Therefore, irrigation water must be applied in the correct amount.
Care and Maintenance:
When the bitter gourd tree grows, the unnecessary or dead leaves of the tree should be removed. The soil in the tub or drum should be loosened with a light hoe, then the roots will grow. If weeds grow, they should be uprooted. Keeping the base of the tree clean reduces the incidence of diseases and insects. When the tree is a little bigger, it should be raised. The tree should be sprayed with pesticides regularly. The right amount of fertilizer should be given. After the seedlings emerge from the bitter gourd seeds, the seedlings should be watered occasionally. And the seedlings should be taken care of. When the bitter gourd starts bearing, mustard seed should be diluted with rotten water and given to the tree regularly every 15-20 days. Organic fertilizer should be given to the tub so that the tree can grow by producing food from the soil. If necessary, chemical fertilizers can be used as per the advice of the agricultural officer.
Insect and disease control in bitter gourd cultivation:
Bitter gourd trees can be attacked by various insects including flies, pumpkin beetles and various pests including viral mosaic disease, powdery mildew. If the tree is attacked by diseases or insects, pesticides should be sprayed as per the advice of the Upazila Agriculture Officer. Sex pheromone and poison bait traps can be used together to avoid insect attacks.
Bitter gourd collection:
You can harvest bitter gourds when they are small or even when they are large, but they should be harvested when they are raw. Ripe bitter gourds cannot be eaten as a curry. Therefore, the fruit should be harvested before it is ripe.