Can you translate?

16 years ago

I received some seeds in trade, in their original packaging. I can identify their species (except for the fuzzy gourd) but am trying to find out their variety names (or the English phonetic equivalent). Since I am interested in saving seed, I would also like to know if they are hybrids. Can anyone help me out?

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2 Bitter melons, package front

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2 Bitter melons, package backs

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2 Gourds, package fronts

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2 Gourds, package backs

I have grown the bitter melons & luffa before, but not the fuzzy gourd. Any growing tips, or recipes, would be greatly appreciated.

Featured Answer

newgardener_tx

16 years ago

All four packs of seeds are hybrids. They are done in Chinese companies.
The left bitter melon name is: Jiang Meng Da Ding (the packet says the original seed is from Tiland)
The right bitter melon: Yu Feng You Lu (F1)
Hairy gourd: Guang Dong Qi Xing (F1). You can grow them as regular gourds or cucumber. The vines are long, need support. Loves water and sun. Cook it as radish or zuccini in the soup.
Luffa: Bai Sha #5
All names are after chinese city. All package indicates not good for seed saving since they are hybrids.

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Comments (7)

bugsey2
16 years ago
Those are hybrids.
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zeedman Zone 5 Wisconsin
Original Author
11 years ago
I am revisiting this thread, because for several years I have been trying to de-hybridize one of the bitter melons that was originally posted above. The process has gone well, and I will be growing it again this year.

However, the original bitter melon photos that I posted above have disappeared, so I don't know whether the one I am growing is Jiang Meng Da Ding or Yu Feng You Lu. The new photo is posted below - can someone translate?

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This is a photo of the last crop. I have been selecting for length & yield. Many of these bitter melons were 10-12 inches long.
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john_p_wi
11 years ago
Zeedmsn,

Curious as where you bought the seeds as the pack seem to be authentic Chinese? As far as the translation, it'll cost you a few seeds for next year :D, he he...

The top of the pic, right hand side of the seed pack is the brand name, Wu Feng You (first 3 characters)followed by the description "green bitter melon".

The right hand side of the pic, bottom of the seed pack says "Hybridized by the bitter melon agriculture organization specialist of Wu Shan"

The bottom of the pic, left hand side of the pack:
Big Fruit, Productive, and if you eat it will protect your health.

Traditional Chinese will say that the bitter melon will reduce your inside heat (opposite of chili pepper) and help remove poisons from your body.

Good luck Zeedman, hope our crazy WI weather this year cooperates.

John
zeedman Zone 5 Wisconsin
Original Author
11 years ago
Darn, I was hoping this bitter melon had a variety name. I have been working for several years to de-hybridize it, and had planned to share seed under a modification of its original name.

The seeds were sent to me several years ago by a trader in the S.F. Bay area, along with another bitter melon which I have yet to grow (it has short, top-shaped fruit), and several Chinese edible gourds. It was a good trade.

And John, as a fellow Wisconsinite, you are more than welcome to some seed. :-) Just contact me through the email link on my Member Page.
zeedman Zone 5 Wisconsin
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Just an update, and a question. I have been growing & selecting the bitter melon in the photo every year since the original post, and it appears to now be stable. In the process, it appears to have become better adapted to my climate, and the seed germination rate has improved - over 90% this year. If this year's crop is uniform, I intend to offer seed... but re-reading this post, the name is translated as both "Yu Feng You Lu" and "Wu Feng You". I'm wondering which one is correct? I'll probably share it as the original name followed by "OP", or maybe "Badger strain".

This year I've begun the process of de-hybridizing the second bitter melon, "Jiang Meng Da Ding", which has short top-shaped fruit.
forever_a_newbie_VA8
8 years ago
Hi zeedman:

The picture is a bit fuzzy to me, especially the first character (五 or 玉)

五丰油绿苦瓜 (Wu Feng You green bitter melon)

五 (Wu) = five, 丰 (Feng) = good harvest, 油 (You) = oil, 绿(Luu) = green, 苦(Ku)=bitter, 瓜(Gua)=melon

To me it looks more like 玉丰油绿苦瓜 (Yu Feng You green bitter melon)

玉 (Yu) = jade, 丰 (Feng) =good harvest, 油 (You) = oil, 绿(Luu) = green, 苦(Ku)=bitter, 瓜(Gua)=melon?