It is true no one is selling hercules anymore, next year www.heavenlyseeds.net will offer them and the following year Southern Exposure should have them. I am growing these this year for commercial release. On saving the seed I would suggest dedicating say half the row for seed the rest for eating. Doing this you should get several good messes to eat plus at least a gallon of seed or more. Rodger

Thanks! Sorry it took me so long to respond, been busy in my garden.

Thanks for reminding me about heavenlyseeds.com! I ordered some Colossus peas from them last week and got them the next day.

I planted them 4 rows over, will they cross with my "possible Hercules"? I might get an even better pea? LOL

crossing of most cowpeas is minimal but it is best to avoid planting them close together. Think of it as 1 seed in 100 will be crossed. Over a few years, that could see an entire line of seed that no longer grows true to type.

DarJones

I am also the grower who provided the colossus pea. One of the best ways to grow several varieties of field peas is succesive planting. It takes on average about 6-8weeks to produce so for me I plant field peas starting mid April and every three weeks after that till first week of Aug so I can get about 5 plantings of peas in and they will all bloom at different times I also till under the peas after the first harvest it adds to the soil and eliminates and possible crossing from a secound crop that may come on. So I would think if your hercules are already planted they will already have bloomed and produced by the time the colossus starts blooming. so you should be good to go on saving seed. Rodger
PS Hercules was developed by Clemson Univ. and released in the early 70s, Colossus was also developed by Clemson and relesed in late 70s. Big boy was developed by Clemson and released in mid 80s each of these peas has the same parentage but each was an improvement on the previous pea all three are very similar in appearance and size all being a tan large seeded crowder. Rodger

I grew Hercules several years ago. They are large peas but not so much flavor. I grow Colossus every 2 or 3 years to maintain seed and because they are a decent shelling pea. I've grown Big Boy but again, not so impressed with them in the pan. Colossus shows up from time to time in the local Co-op.

DarJones