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Velvet Bean (pole)
  • Velvet Bean (pole)
  • Velvet Bean (pole)
  • Velvet Bean (pole)
  • Velvet Bean (pole)
  • Velvet Bean (pole)
  • Velvet Bean (pole)
  • Velvet Bean (pole)
  • Velvet Bean (pole)
Velvet Bean (pole)

Mucuna pruriens var. utilis
$4.50
Description

A plant with many common names: Magic Velvet Bean, Bengal Velvet Bean, Florida Velvet Bean, Mauritius Velvet Bean, Yokohama Velvet Bean, Cowage, Cowitch, Lacuna Bean, and Lyon Bean.

However you call it, this tropical legume is a vigorous producer in our climate where it absolutely thrives in the hottest months, climbing 15' high or more, and bearing loads (LOADS!) of beautiful deep dark purple flowers and large black velvety pods. Great for your Goth garden collection, if you have one or aspire to have one. One seed survived the rabbits the first spring we tried growing this, and a single plant produced an estimated 1,600 seeds!

It takes a long time to fully mature to seed, so plant in April or early May for a long frost-free season. This variety is a non-irritating or itchy one, although with the amount of time we spend with them they do get a bit irritating. Most of the year as they were growing, we did pet them and say hello. So velvety!

Grown for soil improvement and silage and fodder for livestock, it is also edible and medicinal.

Both the immature pods and mature seeds are edible, and like other legumes benefits from soaking and boiling to remove anti-nutritive compounds. It is very high in protein and considered a significant food source in regions where it is most commonly grown. Personally we have not tried eating this one yet, so we want to hear about it if you do!

This bean apparently has many medicinal uses and applications from aphrodisiac to being neuro-protective, and is emerging as a potential support for Parkinson's Disease. There is so much to learn and love about this magic bean!
Product details
  • About 15 seeds
  • 200+ days to harvest seed, less for just biomass
  • Seeds grown in Working Food gardens at GROW HUB in Gainesville, Florida
How to grow

To germinate these seeds best, try nicking a little piece of the seed coat off with nail clippers, and then soak overnight in warm water before planting.

Legumes are able to manufacture their own nitrogen (magic + science!) and typically do not need very rich soil or much fertilization at all. Well composted and healthy soils are still encouraged, but you will not need to offer them much in the way of fertilizer. In fact, too much will encourage rampant leafy growth at the expense of the pods.

Velvet beans in particular seem well suited to our poor sandy soils and are a great cover crop for building biomass. The key is to mow them down before they get too large, because their vines are thick and rope-like which makes it hard to chop with any kind of blade.

Plant about 1.5 - 2" deep, spaced 4-8" apart. Velvet beans do not tolerate frosts and so should only be planted when we're not expecting any more freezes. Direct sowing is recommended as legume roots don't appreciate the stress of moving from a pot into the ground. 
How to save seeds

Velvet beans are incredibly easy to save seeds from. Unlike other beans and peas whose pods risk molding, these tough and fuzzy pods hold up well in our humid climate, protecting the seeds. They should still be harvested promptly though.

Large clusters of pods will go from round and smooth to having more ridged seams and turning dry. They are incredibly hard to open and under a lot of pressure. We've found it effective to put them in an enclosed bin or bag and really shake or toss them around. Pods will explode open, which is why you need them to be enclosed.

Seed can easily be saved from just 1 plant, but 5-10 is better, while 20+ is even better.

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