BEAN CLIMBING ‘Poor Man’s’
Botanical Name: Lablab purpureus syn. Dolichos lablab
Poor Man’s Bean, Syri. Tongan Bean is an old Australian heirloom and was once found on many backyard fences in QLD. The deep pink flowers are followed by pale green pods, resembling snow peas in shape when young. It is a short-lived perennial and will live for 2-3 years. It is hardy and good at coping with wet, humid conditions. It is grown for its young, tender pods, edible leaves, and flowers and is a popular vegetable in South East Asian and African cooking. The mature pods and dried beans contain toxins, so should be well-cooked with a change of cooking water.
Plant Type: Short-lived perennial
Plant Height: Grow to 2 – 3m; require a strong trellis
Sow When:
- Subtropical: November – January
- Tropical: October – January
Germination:
- 8 – 10 days
- Depth: 1 – 5 cm deep
Position: Full sun, direct where it is to grow
Soil Type: It tolerates a wide soil range but prefers fertile, well-drained soil; pH 6 – 7
Spacing: Space 30 cm apart along a trellis
Harvest: Pick daily; harvest before the seeds have swollen, use secateurs to cut off the pods to avoid damaging the flower stem
