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Post by blackox on Mar 3, 2014 19:49:44 GMT -5
Another interesting plant coming out of Africa...
Has anybody here tried to grow these? How did they work for you? Would they be something that would work in a temperate climate or probably something that would be restricted to warmer places? Any tips when it comes to growing/harvesting?
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Post by rowan on Mar 3, 2014 21:01:36 GMT -5
I have been trying it this year. It was so hard to get seeds here that I am glad that I ended up with the same number of seeds as plants that I grew. With my experience this year I think I will do a lot better next season. If you want some info on my experiences go to my blog and search bambara bean: garden-larder.blogspot.com.au/ My latest post is about my pitiful harvest from yesterday. I really want to grow these in Australia as I think they will do well here with their tolerence of high temperatures and poor soil. BTW, I could use some aid getting some seeds from seedzoo if anyone can help, customs keeps opening their packets to me *shhh*. |
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Post by blueadzuki on Mar 3, 2014 21:42:16 GMT -5
Unforunately, you are a bit north for V. Subterrenea. Basically it grows best in those areas which are good for peanuts (and I mean regular peanuts, not some short season version for us). They need a long season and LOTS of heat. In theory you might be able to get them to work if you started them indoors VERY early, but even that wouldn't be a 100% lead pipe cinch. Plus bear in mind that they take an ABOMINABLY long time to cook.
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Post by blackox on Mar 4, 2014 14:27:40 GMT -5
Blueadzuki, I seem to be a little too far north for many things. Chances are that I wouldn't be able to grow them, but I would never know if I wouldn't at least try them. I've got a little bit of a micro-climate here, deep valley surrounded by both conifers and deciduous trees. Maybe with an early start and some black plastic? Rowan, I wouldn't mind ordering some seeds for you. I can't guarantee when I will get around to ordering them as there is no money in the bank account at the moment. Go ahead and pm me with your address and any guidelines for shipping to Australia that you may be able to provide. Very nice blog by the way, I look forward to reading more of it when I can find the time.  |
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Post by blueadzuki on Mar 4, 2014 14:53:21 GMT -5
It'd have to be a VERY early start. But I wish you luck. I bought a few packets of them from Richters a while back myself to try. Guess this is as good a year to try them as any.
Oh and Rowan, since it seems obvios that what you are after are the Seed Zoo strains, I though I should metion that they are not exactly incredible looking seeds. I'd still go for them, as I know of no other source for Bambarra groundnuts There was a company somewhere in the south US that had them at one time listed as "goober peas" but I think they dropped them. So now Richters is probably the only game in town I know of for them (About two months ago, Heirloom Gardener did an article on African vegetables to try in your garden and mentioned Bambarras. Whether this means there is another source I don't know about, or HG actually added a veggie onto the list that 99% of the people reading would have no idea how to find seed for I don't know)
That being said, the Richters supply is original collection material (Ricters doesn't regenerate it's seed zoo seeds, remember) And unfortunately in this case, often shows it. The seed is VERY variable in size (my packets had seed from as small as a pea to the marble size they are supposed to be) They're pretty variable in seed coat too, but that doesn't really affect the germination Though not as variable as the description implies. You basically get two variations plain, or with an eye (like on a black eyed pea, its' close relative) which can be brown, grey or black. The speckles they mention are minimal and I'm not sure they are even real (see below) BG's can come in as many colors as other cowpeas, but these two strains are rather limited in thier palette.
More important, some of the seed show definite insect damage. while I don't recall seeing any with actual holes, a LOT of them have ring shaped markings on the side where sucking insects have punctured the seed coat. Actually, pretty all of the darker streaks and specks on the seed might be damage, it's a little hard to tell.
This isn't meant to be a dissuasion, I'm just trying to tell you you might not want to expect a germination percentage much higher than what you got from your own seed, and possibly even less.
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