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Winged Bean / Goa Bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus)
34,00 NOK
Unit price perExpected delivery date: 17 January to 24 January.
Applies to orders within Sweden. For other countries - see our delivery terms .
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34,00 NOK
Unit price perSEEDS (10pcs/bag)
Common names : Goan bean, Wing bean, Square bean, Cigarillas, Manila bean, Kecipir
Scientific name : Psophocarpus tetragonolobus
Family : Fabaceae
Plant history & use :
The Goan bean is a perennial bean plant with several uses in cooking that is also often favored in cultivation for its strong disease resistance.
Sometimes mistakenly confused with the Asparagus Pea ( Tetragonolobus purpureus ), which is a different species. The Asparagus Pea has smaller legumes than the Goan Bean, red flowers and smaller, pea-like leaves.
The Goan bean has larger leaves of 10-15 cm and light blue flowers, as well as square beans that usually grow to 15-20 cm.
The goji bean is a nutritious plant and all parts of the plant can be eaten:
- Leaves can be eaten like spinach,
- Flowers can be added to salads,
- Root tubers can be eaten raw or cooked like potatoes - have a nutty flavor
- Seeds (dry beans) can be used in a similar way to soybeans. Both flour and milk can be made from dried, ground goji beans, which lack the distinctive "bean" flavor.
- The immature green bean pods can be eaten as a raw vegetable or cooked in a stir-fry. The taste is reminiscent of asparagus.
All parts of the Goan bean plant have a high protein content. The mature seeds (dry beans) contain 40%, the tubers 20% - which is higher than many root vegetables - and the leaves and flowers contain 10-15%.
The goba bean is currently a relatively unknown crop but is continuously increasing in commercial use.
The cowpea is an effective ground cover and a good weed suppressor. If you plant the cowpea without anything to climb on, it will instead spread at ground level and make it difficult for weeds to get up.
The goba also fixes nitrogen to the soil via rhizobacteria and can help rebuild nutrient-poor soils.
The goji bean can also be given as feed to ruminants, poultry and fish.
Cultivation :
The Goan bean is a perennial plant with a climbing habit (similar to the Long bean ). Large in its natural environment - can reach lengths of 3-4 meters.
Hardy for cultivation in the warmest parts of Skåne, Blekinge, Öland & Gotland. Winter cover the base with straw or similar when growing outdoors.
It is best to start growing as early in the year as possible, as the Goan bean needs a long growing season to produce beans in the same year. This is most likely due to the fact that it is a perennial bean variety, perennials usually grow slower than annuals as they are "programmed" to grow continuously for several years (- rather than quickly as annuals have to do to have time to reproduce during their short lifespan).
Would like something to climb on, e.g. house wall, larger tree, pillar, sticks or tied wire.
Thrives in well-drained soils. Favors heat and moisture. Optimal temperature for growth and fruiting is around 25
°C. Lower temperatures favor root tuber growth while higher temperatures favor leaf growth.
Self-pollinating.
Fixes nitrogen on its own via rhizobacteria on the roots, fertilization is not a necessity.
The green bean pods are ready for harvest after 3-4 months from sowing.
Sowing :
Soak seeds in lukewarm water 1 day before sowing.
Sow seeds indoors early in the year (Jan-Feb). Transplant outdoors or in greenhouses March-May. Sowing depth 2 cm. Keep sowing moist.
Features :
Year: Perennial
Growing position: sun
Height: 2-4 m
Germination time: 1-2 weeks
Growing zone: 1
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