Variety Characteristics Latin Name (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus)
Productive. Fresh pods are crunchy. Plant is very productive and strong, can handle many days of heavy rain. Plant produces a tuber as well. One may harvest from the same plant over 2 or more years. (Plant will die back in the dry season) The tuber can also be eaten.
Soil and Climate
Likes well drained sandy loam soil. Easy to grow. Best grown in the rainy season. Likes sun.
Planting Suggestions
Prepare planting holes in advance by mixing one planting trowel of compost or aged manure with the soil per hole. Plant 2-3 seeds in prepared holes. After seedlings are 25-30 days, thin out to leave only the 1 or 2 healthiest seedlings in each hole. Allow 60 cms x 60 cms between rows. Prepare a trellis to allow the plants to climb and for easy harvest of fruits.
Care
Fertilize 2 times, 1st at 25-30 days and again at 70 days before flowering. Use compost or aged manure. (observe the crop to see if enough fertility if not may fertilize again) When watering, should water evenly in the right amount, not leaving them dry or over watering (observe the planting soil). Thinning. At 25 days, thin out to leave only the 1or 2 healthiest seedlings in each hole. A trellis needs to be build to allow the plant to climb and for easy harvesting once the plants are 20- 25 days old. May need to help the plants to start climbing initially. Fertilize with compost or manure that has been aged (composted) 3 months.
Pests and Diseases
No disease problems found. some pests eat leaves, flowers, and fruits. Few pest problems as well. Hand removal of pests is sufficient.
Harvesting
Starts 80 days after seeding
Seed Saving
Once about 170 days, the fruits will become brown in color. Dry fruits may be harvested and then dried another 2 days (sun dried). When fully dry, remove the seeds from the fruit and clean them. Sun dry the seeds another 2-3 days. Then bring them into the shade to cool off. They may then be packed in paper bags. Bags should be marked with the name of the variety, day, month, and year of harvest. Fold this paper bag and put into a plastic bag. Keep in the refrigerator for better longterm germination and minimal seed respiration. If so stored, can keep for over 2 years.
The seeds may also be kept directly in the dried pod itself, hung in a dry shady place. However the germination rate will decrease more rapidly due to the external changing conditions. They may be only keep for a year with this method.
