Yardlong Bean.

De un vistazo

Nivel de cuidados

Fácil

Tipo de planta

Annual vegetable

Luz

Full sun

Luz en interior

Sol directo

Riego

Cada 2 a 4 días

Tamaño adulto

3 to 4 meters

Ritmo de crecimiento

Rápido

Rusticidad

USDA 9 a 11

Floración

Mid to late summer

Cuidados

Provide a strong trellis for the vines to climb as they grow quite tall. Watch for wilting leaves which indicate the plant needs more water during hot spells. Keep an eye out for aphids on the tender new growth.

Riego

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged to ensure the best pod production.

Abonado

Apply a balanced vegetable fertilizer every few weeks once the plant begins to flower.

Poda

Trim back excessive side shoots if the plant becomes too crowded to improve airflow.

Trasplante

These are annuals and are typically grown directly in the garden soil.

Suelo

Well draining loamy soil

pH del suelo

6.0 to 7.0

Temperatura

15 a 35°C

Humedad

40 a 70%

Seguridad

Personas

The raw seeds contain compounds that can cause digestive distress if consumed in large quantities.

Niños

The seeds are small and pose a choking hazard to young children.

Alérgenos por contacto

The foliage can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Alérgenos en el aire

Pollen may trigger mild reactions in those with legume allergies.

Comestibilidad

Always cook the beans thoroughly before eating to neutralize lectins.

Cómo identificarla

• Extremely long slender green pods
• Vining growth habit
• Trifoliate bright green leaves
• Small pale yellow or purple flowers

Altura

0,3 a 1m

Anchura

0,3 a 0,6m

Hojas

green, deciduous

Flores

white, yellow, purple, 1 a 2cm

Frutos

green, yellow, brown, Late summer to autumn

Problemas frecuentes

• Aphids — Small insects that cluster on new growth and suck plant sap.
• Root rot — Fungal infection caused by overly wet or poorly drained soil.

Cómo cultivarla

Propagación

seed

Cuándo plantar

spring, early summer

Plant cowpeas alongside corn to maximize space and improve soil fertility simultaneously.

Buenas compañeras

• Maíz — Corn provides a natural trellis for the cowpea vines to climb.
• pepino — Cowpeas provide nitrogen to the soil which benefits heavy feeders like cucumbers.

Mantenla lejos de

• Cebolla — Onions may inhibit the growth of legumes when planted in close proximity.

Especies parecidas

• Mung bean — Shares similar growth habits and environmental requirements.
• Vigna angularis — Another member of the Vigna genus with similar cultural needs.

Ciencia

Familia

Fabaceae

Género

Vigna

Orden

Fabales

Clase

Magnoliopsida

Distribución natural

Central and West Africa

Conservación

Not of conservation concern as it is a widely cultivated agricultural crop.

This plant survives in hot, arid environments by developing a deep root system and maturing quickly.

Valor para la fauna

nectar source, nitrogen fixer

Polinizadores

abejas, mariposas

Usos

culinary, cover crop, forage

Taxonomía cotejada con GBIF.

Lo que más preguntan

Can I grow cowpeas in a container?

Yes, they grow well in large pots with adequate drainage.

When should I harvest the pods?

Harvest when the pods are firm and full for fresh eating, or wait until they dry for storage.

De dónde viene el nombre

The genus name Vigna honors the Italian botanist Domenico Vigna, while unguiculata refers to the claw-like shape of the flower petals.

Bueno saberlo

• Cowpeas are not actually peas but are more closely related to mung beans.
• They are a staple ingredient in the Southern United States dish known as Hoppin' John.
• The plants enrich the soil by fixing nitrogen from the air.
• They thrive in hot weather where other beans might fail.