Mara Bitter Melon Seeds (Oriental Type)

Mara is an Oriental-type bitter gourd prized in Chinese cuisine for its milder flavor compared to Indian varieties. This open-pollinated variety produces large, cylindrical, glossy green fruit — typically 3" in diameter, 11" long, and around 1 lb at maturity. Vigorous, high-yielding, and disease tolerant.

Seed Count by Weight

• 1 oz — approximately 195 seeds
• 4 oz — approximately 780 seeds
• 1 lb — approximately 3,120 seeds

Growing Information

• Type: Warm-season annual
• Days to Maturity: 50–55 days
• Planting Season: Spring / Summer
• Germination Temp: 65°F minimum; optimal 75–85°F

How to Grow

For best germination, pre-sprout seeds indoors: soak in water for 24 hours, then wrap in a damp towel and keep at 75–85°F. Transplant outdoors after all frost risk has passed and soil is consistently warm. Keep soil moist, fertilize as needed, and train vines to climb for good air circulation. Hand pollination is required for fruit set. Shade developing fruits to reduce bitterness and slow ripening.

Harvesting

Harvest while fruit is still firm, between 7–12 inches long. Fruit ripens rapidly on or off the vine — check plants frequently at peak season.

Culinary Uses

Remove seeds and pith before cooking. Use in soups, stir-fries, or stuffed with pork or seafood. Young shoots and leaves can be parboiled, rinsed, and cooked like greens.

Common Names

African cucumber, ampalaya, amargoso, balsam pear, bitter cucumber, bitter melon, foo gwa, fu gua, karela, ku gua, mara, muop dang, pare, peria, ssunoi, tsuru reishi, and others.