~Gac Fruit~

Momordica cochinchinensis

 ~The Fruit from Heaven~

AKA: Baby Jackfruit, Spiny Bitter Gourd, Sweet Gourd, or Cochinchin Gourd.

You are bidding on * fresh seeds shipped from Hawaii.

  Gac seeds are brown in color and look like small meteorites with gagged  edges and black lines running through them. They are about the size of a  half dollar piece and about 1/4 inch thick. Approximately 200-300 seeds in 1  kilogram. They have one small hole on one end. This is where the vine will  emerge at germination.

photo of multiple     items

How to germinate Gac seeds?

   Like all seeds, Gac seeds need oxygen, water, and light to germinate.

Clay  soils do not allow for passage of oxygen. Planting any seed deep in wet clay  soil is a good way to prevent oxygen and light from reaching it, which will  result in poor germination results and rotted seeds.

Do not use straight  potting soil for the same reason.

 It has been traditionally used as both food and medicine  in the regions in which it grows.

What is GAC?

The spiny bittergourd an exotic  fruit, botanically known as Momordica cochinchinensis. The spiny  bittergourd is oval in shape and has short spines all over the rind of  the fruit. The fruit is usually used only when it is ripe and that is  when its rind turns into a bright orange color.

 

Gac grows on dioecious vines can  be commonly seen growing on lattices at the entrances to rural homes or  in gardens in Vietnam. It only fruits once a year, and has a relatively  short harvest season (which peaks in December and January). The fruit  itself becomes a dark orange color upon ripening, and is typically round  or oblong, maturing to a size of about 13 cm in length and 10 cm in  diameter. Its exterior skin is covered in small spines while its dark  red interior consists of clusters of fleshy pulp and seeds.

Gac has been shown to be especially high in lycopene content. Relative to  mass, it contains up to 70 times the amount of lycopene found in tomatoes.

    Gac has also been found to contain up to 10 times the amount of beta-carotene  of carrots or sweet potatoes. Additionally, the carotenoids present in Gac  are bound to long-chain fatty acids, resulting in what is claimed to be a  more bio-available form. There has also been recent research that suggests  that Gac contains a protein that may inhibit the proliferation of cancer  cells.

The seeds from the spiny bittergourd are used in Traditional Chinese  Medicine (TCM) and referred to as “Semen Momordicae”. The Chinese name  of these seeds is called “Mu Bie Zi” (木鳖子) which directly translates  into “Wooden tortoise seeds”. This strange Chinese name is not  surprising once we see how the large seeds (about 4 cm in diameter) look  like as they do resemble the shells of tortoises.

All good things  take time, so I grow my plants and rare palms in  my  ebay store.

Much more to check out or just get a little  education on in my store.

        Shipping

ATTENTION USA  BIDDERS!

     All  live plants if shipped bare-root are wrapped  in moist sphagnum moss to ensure the  plant's healthy transit to you. All live plants are  Inspected By USDA Plant Inspectors before they are shipped  to insure you get healthy pest free plants and seeds.

We ship  via USPS Mondays-Wednesday with Delivery confirmation.

            All plant materials are  required by LAW to inspected and certified by USDA prior to  export Hawaii to the US Mainland.

After Inspection, USDA stamps released for  export Hawaii to the US Mainland. All items are delivered to  USDA Inspection Station at Honolulu International airport.

USDA  Certification charge  is included in Shipping and Handling @ $5 fee per item/species.

There  is a packing and custom boxing fee.

Last and usually least is USPS postage (shipping)

ATTENTION  INTERNATIONAL BIDDERS!

We can  ship certified live plants to the US only. Only Domestic  Shipping and Handling includes USDA Certification.

We ship  Seeds Internationally.

All  International shipments are at Buyer's Risk. Please spend no  more more than you can lose!

Proper  Permits and Documents are the BUYER's responsibility. Please request any  documents prior to shipping.

For foreign  customers, please check your laws concerning permitting and customs,  additional shipping and handling costs may apply.

The  additional charge for any Phytosanitary Certificate is  not included in this offer.

INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING ON  LIVE PLANTS  is available only under these conditions!

All  international orders are shipped at the BUYER's  RISK  (shipped with or without  documents) and no refunds or replacements are offered for  Dead On Arrival, loss, confiscation, Customs Seizure,  unanticipated charges, etc.

  Payment

We accept online  payments only through PayPal, Cash payments are only  acceptable for in-person payments and cash-on-delivery  (COD). Cash payment can not be sent through the mail.    

       Please only one Paypal payment. SO THE COMBINED SHIPPING  RULE WILL CAN BE USED. Late or Multiple PayPal payments are  NOT eligible for any discount.

We will ship once a  week - ON or BEFORE WEDNESDAYS, because of the special  stamps needed to ship plants and cuttings to you.  This  can only be done at the Dept. of Agriculture.  If  payments are not met before that MONDAY, your items will be  shipped the following week and lose the combined discount  opportunity. Non-paying bidders may receive negative  feedback and will be reported as an unpaid item to eBay.

COMBINED  SHIPPING POLICY

INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING  is not included in this offer.         INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING ON  LIVE PLANTS on a case by case basis.

We will combine shipping  for auctions won on the same week paid with same PayPal  payment.

This policy is good  for auction items bought and paid for in the week ending  MONDAY.

We ship on Tuesdays.

Payment must be  received within 4 days of the auction ending. 

Combined  Discounts Won Auctions

For 2-3 winning  auctions, the combined discount is 10% of the total Shipping  and Handling charges.

For 4-7 winning  auctions, the combined discount is 20% of the total Shipping  and Handling charges.

For 7+ winning  auctions, the combined discount is 30% of the total Shipping  and Handling charges.

As  each order is packed and prepared separately you will pay the quoted S/H charges individually per item. If you buy the same species in that item it  does calculate out the discount (i.e.: additional items)

My stores' combined shipping is built in for same items rather than a varied  selection. Domestic S/H includes postage, USDA certification and inspection, proper packing and delivery to Airport for  prompt delivery. I can't really change any of these. If you want one of this and one of that, it is hard to discount  much as each different species requires it's own prep, packing, then at USDA each has to be unwrapped and inspected  then repacked. USDA requires me to clean and prepare every last piece before we drive them to the Inspection Station on  the other side of the island. It takes my wife and I, 2-3 days to pack items and get ready to ship. The whole next day  we drive around the island and get inspected (2-3 hours), then drive to the Airport Post Office to drop off. It takes  the same work with the same type item if you can understand.

When you order a plant we assume you are prepared to care for it. It is your responsibility to know how to care  for the plant. Do some research before they arrive or seek experienced help.

 Small plants need protection from many things, wind, sun, dry-out. They do well just in the garage or living  room. They need good light but not sunlight (full sun will burn small plants). Small pots dry-out easily. Just sitting in a shallow tray of water works  well. The idea is to keep the plants from dehydrating.

Be careful if you decide to re-pot.  Re-potting voids any warranty. Plants are easily damaged with new/different mix. Use NO fertilizers (this may kill your plants).  Proper care is critical upon arrival. Live Plants are NOT GUARANTEED  to survive under your care. DO NOT expect any live plant to be GUARANTEED to remain alive. Plants are NOT GUARANTEED TO SURVIVE after you begin Care! Live arrival is guaranteed,  eternal survival is up to you.

 IF YOU are NOT able to provide PROPER CARE, PLEASE DO NOT EXPECT plant to be GUARANTEED after it perishes.

NO REPLACEMENT WILL BE CONSIDERED IF YOU HAVE REPOTTED THE PLANT.

Please Do NOT email me a week after potting your plant, and make a claim it arrived damaged. If you repot your plant after delivery, all warranties are voided and no replacement is offered. All  photos must be as arrived in original condition as received (in the box and packed as delivered).

If repotted, you are responsible for the condition of the plant. NO REPLACEMENT WILL BE CONSIDERED IF YOU HAVE REPOTTED THE PLANT.

Not every plant that I grow survives, and I am aware of that and accept the risk when I order. This is the risk that you as the buyer accept, because there is no way to know what kind  of conditions it will endure in the trip to your door. My responsibility ends when a live plant is delivered to your door.

You are agreeing to these terms when you make this purchase from this listing.

LIVE PLANTS ARE PERISHABLE.

There is the risk when you grow plants that they may die.  LIVE PLANTS are PERISHABLE, guaranteed not to live forever.

US orders ONLY are GUARANTEED for LIVE ARRIVAL . All International orders are shipped at the BUYER's  RISK!

From delivery confirmation, you have only 48 hours from delivery confirmation to make any claim.

All claims need to be supported with Photos of the damaged plant(s) as packed/unpacked, the box if damaged, the packing materials and any documents.

I am very reasonable and understanding, anything can happen to small plants in transit, for this reason uninsurable.

The expense to send it to you is most of your payment. To send any replacements, I try to piggy back with your next order.

Replacement is not an option for CUSTOMS SEIZURE.

ALL OF MY ITEMS ARE SHIPPED USDA CERTIFIED WITHIN THE U.S. - USDA and USPS fees  are included in the actual cost of shipping and Handling.

Please do not leave a 1 or 2 in my detailed seller ratings for postage fees or any  reason really because I will block you from any further purchases.
 
Please contact me before eBay if you have any issue. I am the one  who can help you. Do not open any case for any reason really because I will block you from any further purchases.

I ship items the best and least expensive option. These are coming from Hawaii.  The only thing inexpensive here in Hawaii are my items!! I do ship all my items promptly via best method. If you feel  like the combined shipping fee is wrong, please wait to be invoiced and check back with me! I value your business and  will work diligently to keep you satisfied. I am very generous and reasonable with reasonable people, just ask.

my dog Taz will fetch your email to me

If you are dissatisfied with the item for any reason, please contact me before leaving a negative or neutral comment.

I want you to be satisfied!

Mahalo iâ `oe no ke kipa `ana mai. E kipa mai hou!

Rare Seeds

Fresh Highest  Quality