|
Bitter Melon
The Bitter Melon Short Fu Qwa, Foo-Gwa, 'Momordica charantia', is widely used in the Orient. You will quickly enjoy its bitter flavor. It is refreshing, cooling, and a compliment to beef, poultry, and seafood. The Bitter Melon is also called a Balsam Pear. The bitter flavor of bitter melon is due to quinine, and is a taste that is quickly acquired by adults and kids. This soft flavor softens as it absorbs other flavors. It is used in stir-fry, stews, steamed, braised, or curried. When mature, the melons are very showy, which is why it is commonly used as an ornamental. Plant in the spring, 1 to 2 weeks after the last frost when soil temperatures are warm. The Bitter Melon prefers light and well drained soil. Keep the plant moist but not soggy. Harvest the fruit when they are no longer than 6 inches and are still light green in color. ... more information
Bachelor Button - Sweet Sultan The Bachelor Button Sweet Sultan Imperialis, 'Centaurea (Amberboa) moschata', is a deliciously fragrant and an absolutely splendid cut flower. If you like cut flowers, you must grow Sweet Sultan. The easy to grow and very fragrant 'Imperialis' is a somewhat taller and improved variety. The 2 inch flower heads are thistle-looking and almost shine. Flower colors are shades of white, pink, purple, lavender, rose, red, yellow, and burgundy. Sweet Sultan blooms summer into early fall, mostly during the heat. Sweet Sultans prefer a full sun location. They prefer average soils with moderate fertility and are tolerant to drought. Plant the Bachelor Buttons in the spring 1 to 2 weeks before the last frost. The Sweet Sultan is an excellent cut flower and grows well in that "hot" spot where nothing else does well. |
|
