Lesson 6.17.0 MADAGASCAR BEANS - Phaseolus lunatus
FOOD FOREST COURSE
AGRO-ECONOMY
Lesson 6.17.0 MADAGASCAR
BEANS - Phaseolus lunatus
The Madagascar
bean is closely related to the Lima bean and shares the same size and
shape. The colour of the Madagascar is
easily distinguishable from the plain white colour of the Lima, as splotches of
magenta red and cream decorate this very attractive bean. The Lima bean originated in South America and
has been grown and developed on the coastal plains of Peru for 5000 years.
The Madagascar
bean is popular in Permaculture gardens as it is so hardy, and it has a very
long and productive life. The vines can
last up to five years if regularly fertilised throughout the growing season.
Cultivation
The soil needs to be well prepared when planting a new
Madagascar bean vine.
The soil should be well drained and friable with a pH
between 5.5 and 6.7. Plant in mid
spring, as this tropical bean loves the heat and should not be planted too
early when the ground is still cold.
These beans require a long growing season before they become productive
but once the vines are mature, they will keep on producing flushes of pods
during the summer months and even throughout the year. The vines will keep on producing for up to
five years if well-tended. A regular
application of compost or worm castings in the warmer months is advisable for
productivity. The vines will flower in
flushes and produce the green flat pods that at maturity will fill out with the
beans inside.
It is advisable to check for even soil moisture when
the vines flower and set their pods so that there will be abundance for
harvesting later. Beans are self-pollinating
and as a rule don’t cross-with other beans.
The seed remains viable for around three years but it helps to freeze
them for a couple of days to kill off any of the little weevils that are
sometimes found crawling around and inside the skin.
Text from the roots, Elisabeth Ferkonia (Aus.) PDC
studied with Bill Mollison,
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