Thanks for all the info. You confirmed my suspicion that I really need to start the bitter melon seeds early next year. Our average frost date is May 30th, a full month and a half after you.
Frankly, I told Dear Wife that we might not get any bitter melons to grow since our season is so short, but we are getting some. I don't know what variety of bitter melon they are, but I'll have to check out the Indian BM you like so well.
FYI, I started my tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants about 1 Apr, which was about 8 weeks before our average last frost date. That really worked out well for me as the plants have never been so strong or tall as they were this year. Much better than the transplants from the big box stores ever were.
Also, and I think this is very important, I started all my plants in 3-inch net cups which allowed the roots to air prune while growing in the house for those first 8 weeks. I had no root bound plants when I put them in the garden the end of May. When I transplanted them into the garden, they just exploded and I have my best success ever this year!
When it comes to gardening, I celebrate any and all successes, great or small.
Last season we moved from two 8' fluorescent lights to two LEDs a modern heating mat with thermostat. After growing under fluorescents & heating cables that twisted & burned in two. We got it after all.
Time to move into the 21st century LOL. Only one problem. When you chose the time to start as always, better look at the lights you have. We had lights that had to be inches like 2" above the plant tops. LEDs we used were set at 14" above plants & turned down to 50 percent. WOW!
Below is what happened when we started them too soon..
By the time we got the plants in ground they were way bigger than we expected.
Bitter melons are vine so provide little sticks in your 4" pots to support them until you transplant them.