Plants are vigorous growing vines related to melons and squash, and are grown in the same way. Plants are more productive when trained on a trellis and can produce 10 to 20 fruit per plant. Fruits are elongated, cylindrical and may be more than a foot long. Plant seed after all danger of frost is past and the soil is warm in hills 3 feet apart in rows at least 4 feet apart. For maximum production, trellis the plants.
Cultural requirements are the same as for other members of the cucurbit family.
Fruit for consumption as a vegetable is ready to harvest in about 100 days. Harvest when 6 to 8 inches in length and still tender. Allow another 30 days for the fruit to fully mature if it is to be used as a gourd or as a dishcloth. This vigorous annual cucurbit vine is also known as bitter gourd, balsam pear or foo gwa. It produces sour or bitter fruit that look like small, light green, warty cucumbers.