Annette, the Mexican black lima that macmex brought from Mexico is day length sensitive and I decided to experiment with it. In November I planted two seed in a large container, in my greenhouse, with a five foot tall cage for them to climb on. I cut the top off the plants, when they were four feet tall, to force more lateral growth. At the present time they are loaded with bloom spikes, with some buds nearly open. We will just have to wait and see how much they produce.

Flintnapper, I only have minimal heat on in my greenhouse, just enough to winter some of the more tender plants I have so I'll have to wait until mar/april when it's warm enough for my little experiment. Then, it's more likely the hours of daylight will be the problem, I'm thinking I'll have to cover these to block out the light for ? hours each day.

Annette

Annette,
I believe there are varieties with varying degrees of daylight sensitivity. The mildest cases sometimes simply don't start flowering, here at my latitude (35.9 degrees), until the end of September. Such is the case with Tarahumara Pink Green Bean. Others won't flower until "the frost is on the pumpkin," so to speak, in mid October. The black Lima Flintknapper mentions wouldn't even begin to flower here. It's a very good sign that he has it flowering now.

If you can provide sufficient heat in the green house, I see no reason why you couldn't get a day length sensitive variety to flower and produce seed.

George
Tahlequah, OK

George I was wondering once they are up and growing, if I cover them after dark and keep them covered for part of the morning would that work. I'll only have a few beans to experiment with so they aren't going to take up much space. They're from Africa and although it wasn't mentioned I suspect they might be day length sensitive. The whole thing will probably go bust but it'll be fun trying.

Annette

Covering might work. The varieties I have experience with, though, tend to get very tall. Not all varieties from equatorial regions are day length sensative.

George

LOL I also don't know if they're bush or pole varieties, kinda like flying blind, I'll have to keep that in mind when I plant them. I have three to try a common, a lima and a cowpea. If it works I'll post pictures. I was going to plant Chinese Red Noodles in the greenhouse again as they produced a few feeds for us last year but if this other cowpea does grow and produces seed I'll want to save them without fear of crossing so it looks like a pass on the CRN this year.

Annette