{"product_id":"10-heirloom-balsa-pear-bitter-melon-seeds","title":"10 heirloom Balsa Pear Bitter Melon seeds.","description":"\u003cdiv id=\"content-toggle-product-details-read-more\" class=\"wt-content-toggle__body wt-content-toggle__body--truncated wt-content-toggle__body--truncated-02\" aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\"\u003e\n        \u003cp data-product-details-description-text-content=\"\" class=\"wt-text-body-01 wt-break-word\"\u003e\n            10 heirloom, open pollinated Balsa Pear Bitter Melon seeds.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe are a Chinese type bitter melon that has been grown in our family on my Mom's side for at least the last five generations. Balsa Pear was a variety of bitter melon grown at Monticello by Thomas Jefferson and was grown in this country from at least the early 1700's.\u003cbr\u003eWhile they are edible, we grew them to make a tincture for arthritis. Beautiful, long vines with sunny yellow blossoms are attractive growing on a fence or trellis. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNote; These can be a bit finicky to germinate. I suggest clipping a tiny bit of the hard outer coating with a pair of nail clippers then soaking in room temperature water overnight before planting. Keep soil slightly moist until they get established. After that they seem to thrive on neglect.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThere are dozens of varieties of bitter melon, but they cross easily so we can only grow a couple of varieties per year unless we find other growers in our community that will let us plant a dozen or so there. But keep updated as we add new ones as we can.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e*******************\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAll seeds are shipped in protective bubble mailers. Packed in 4 mil heavy duty zip-lock baggies for protection of your seeds. These are packed suitable to go into cold storage if desired just as they arrive. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMost of our seeds are grown here on the farm with a few being grown by selected growers for us. All seeds are germination tested before listing. Store all seeds in a cool, dry place out of the light until ready to plant. Most can be stored in the freezer for extended storage.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOur tiny local Post Office is only open in the mornings and I’m a one man show, so while most orders will be shipped the following day, if ordered on Friday, Saturday or Sunday they might not go out until Monday morning. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEvery purchase helps support our heirloom seed saving program.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIf there’s ever a problem just reach out. We strive to be the best we can be. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNote: While we have been growing, saving seed and selling from home for many years, selling online is a new thing. So some packets might not have the same pictures or information shown here as we are still figuring out our labels. \u003cbr\u003eAnd I’m a fair to middling farmer but a poor photographer.\n        \u003c\/p\u003e\n        \n    \u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Kincotrade","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48007560691942,"sku":"XRQDACL","price":1.6,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0800\/4996\/3238\/files\/Output_140.jpg?v=1784279340","url":"https:\/\/kincotrade.com\/products\/10-heirloom-balsa-pear-bitter-melon-seeds","provider":"Kincotrade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}