Cucurbita maxima
Also known as bitter melon and balsam pear.
Hybrid seed.
Grow on a trellis for straight fruit.
Matures in 65 days.
Full Sun.
A Vietnamese-type bitter gourd, also known as balsam pear and bitter melon, Green Pearl is early to ripen its 22-30cm (9-12�) shiny green, warty fruit. Scrape the white seeds and pith out and chop into bite size pieces for use in soups and stir fries. Grow on a trellis for straight fruit.
Approx. 5 Seeds
Direct sow or transplant in late spring once the soil is warm. For transplants, start seeds indoors during the first two weeks of May. Optimal soil temperature: 25-35�C (77-95�F). Seeds should germinate in 7-14 days.
Sow seeds 2cm (1?) deep. Sow 3 seeds in each spot where you want a plant to grow, and thin to the strongest plant. Space summer squash 45-60cm (18-24?) apart in rows 90-120cm (36-48?) apart. Give winter squash and pumpkins even more room with a minimum of 90-120cm (36-48?) apart in rows 120-180cm (48-72?) apart.