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pigeon pea

15 years ago

Has anybody successfully gotten a crop from this legume (cajanus cajan), outside of the deep, deep south?

I planted them in early June thinking they were similar to cowpeas. Come to find they have a 7-11 month maturity, so they were just flowering a month ago when the cold weather came and they quit growing.

They taste great (based on some I've coked from dry beans), plant is very sturdy and healthy - makes a large bush with no need for support. I think it's a great choice for avoiding MBB. I plan to start a bunch indoors around the same time as early squash and see if I can't get a crop out of them next year.

Comments (13)

  • 15 years ago

    I grew this past season in zone 6 NJ. Plant grew quite big and healthy. However, no flowers no fruits. I removed the plant last week as it will not survive winter.
    It just became a vanity and I will not be growing this anymore.
    This is actually second time around.

  • 15 years ago

    When did you start it?

  • 15 years ago

    Started indoor in Mid March this past season--moved it out in ground after mother's day. In 2008 season --I started in early May and moved it end of May and early June.

    I have heard other gardeners being successful growing it in Maryland. You may search in Asian Vegetable forum--there are few posts related to pigeon pea.

    Anna

  • 15 years ago

    Thanks, Anna.

  • 15 years ago

    Short-duration pigeon peas (3��"4 months) suitable for multiple cropping have recently been developed.

    If you find the seeds please let us know. I would be interested.

    Kitazawa Seeds does special orders like this. you might contact them. they have a phone number to call and talk to them.

    Here is a link that might be useful: pigeon peas info

  • 15 years ago

    We enjoy them as green peas (shellies). Dried, not so much. How did you prepare yours pn?

    I have purchased seeds from Echo in the past and remember being pleasantly surprised by how quickly they flowered. Wish i could remember what month they were planted in.

  • 15 years ago

    Mine were cooked from dried peas - Guandul variety - that a Colombian friend who lives in Fl gave us. I think she grew them at her place in north central fla, but I'm not certain. I'll have to check on that when I see her in a few weeks. Anyway, I thought they were very tasty, much more like beans than like cowpeas. Whereas canned pigeon peas that I've had are pretty awful.

    I planted a few here in MA, and some in fla previously in early march. The latter were totally on their own and I've no idea what happened with them. They got plenty of heat, we can be sure of that, and lots of company with wicked big weeds.

  • 15 years ago

    From what i have seen pigeon peas thrive on neglect so i am optimistic about the survival of your plants. Hope you'll update this thread with the outcome.

    A lovely little dal can be made from split pigeon peas but i have no idea how to split the peas. Sounds like a LOT of work.

  • 15 years ago

    I have grown pigeon pea plants in Maryland.There are short term variety of seeds of pigeon pea are available.Pl. Google for the vendors.I am posting the pic. of pigeon pea plant from my file. {{gwi:118182}}

  • 15 years ago

    Chaman, the couple of domestic sources that I have found are unclear about whether they are short-season or not.

    I'm going to check ECHO.

  • 15 years ago

    Just returned from there. No mention of short-season variety, unless I missed it. They consider cajanus cajan unsuitable for temperate zones.

    Chickpea might be better for my climate. Drought-tolerant could be good for my droughty soils.

  • 15 years ago

    So now in florida and checked on the peas this morning. Mauirose, you were correct, they did in fact do surprisingly well amongst the massive weeds. There they were blooming away, about 3 feet tall and hidden by the six-foot tall and deep-rooted clumping rank weeds named I know not what but hauled out by hand from the deep floridy sand. Now the peas have some sun.

    Somewhat ironically perhaps, I am here just in time to see them get frosted tonight. Most likely, according to the forecast. I was surprised - again - by the condition that cajanus cajan was not much if any farther along in its cycle here than it was in MA five weeks ago. I was expecting to find peas on the plants if there were plants to be found at all. But nary a pod yet formed.

    This all reinforces my feeling that cajanus cajan is not a crop for the lower 48 unless it were south florida and even there probably difficult. Unless those elusive short-season cultivars show themselves......

  • 15 years ago

    So now I have to eat my words (not so unusual). I learned today that the lady who gave us the peas grows them as a perennial hedge about 30 miles south, though its about a half-zone warmer.