(Cajanus cajan 'Pigeon')
SKU:
$1.00
$1.00 - $2.00
$1.00
per item
Pigeon Pea is a heirloom, very tender, warm weather (sub tropical-tropical), evergreen perennial leguminous shrub that is native to India, but can be commonly found growing throughout the United States as an annual. At maturity, this plant reaches the height of 6-12' and features a woody branching stem, 2" oblong, alternating leaflets, bright yellow pea-like flowers, and 2-3 1/2" long, straight, flat green pods that contain 2-9 seeds. This plant attracts bees and butterflies, creates biomass, provides feed for cattle, pigs and poultry, is rabbit safe, and is edible!Â
Family: Fabaceae
Genus: Cajanus
Species: cajan
Variety: Pigeon Pea
Native to: Assam, India, West Himalaya
Ease of Growing: Easy
Grown as: Annual/Short Lived Perennial
Days to Maturity: Spring/Summer 120 days
Hardiness: Very Tender. Pigeon Pea is a tropical species that is sensitive to cold weather.
Crops: Spring Transplant, Spring, Summer
Growing Season: Long
Growing Conditions: Warm, Hot. Pigeon Pea is a sub-tropical plant and uses C4 photosynthesis, which enables it to grow more efficiently in high heat and light levels. It needs warm weather and as much sunlight as it can get.
Outdoor Growing Temp: 68°F -100°F
Min Outdoor Soil Temp: 77°F. Pigeon pea needs a warm soil for good germination. It will take 3 weeks to germinate at 77 degrees.
Start Indoors: Yes
Start Outdoors: Yes.
Light: Full Sun. Min. 6 hours daily (Warm, Hot).
Water: Pigeon pea plants are susceptible to a number of diseases, such as anthracnose, leaf spots and fusarium wilt. All of these diseases thrive in moist conditions, so keeping the leaves of the plants dry and making sure that the soil is not waterlogged can help avoid these conditions.
Suitability: High heat, Needs good drainage.
Containers?: No. Pigeon Pea develops a deep taproot.
Attracts beneficial insects?: Yes. Attracts bees and butterflies. Also provides forage to livestock and is rabbit safe.
Maintenance: Low
Plant Height: 6-12'
Spacing: 12-18"
Sow Depth: 1-4"
Produces: a woody branching stem, 2" oblong, alternating leaflets, bright yellow pea-like flowers, and 2-3 1/2" long, straight, flat green pods that contain 2-9 seeds.
Hardiness Zone: 4-8 Annual
9-12 Perennial
Genus: Cajanus
Species: cajan
Variety: Pigeon Pea
Native to: Assam, India, West Himalaya
Ease of Growing: Easy
Grown as: Annual/Short Lived Perennial
Days to Maturity: Spring/Summer 120 days
Hardiness: Very Tender. Pigeon Pea is a tropical species that is sensitive to cold weather.
Crops: Spring Transplant, Spring, Summer
Growing Season: Long
Growing Conditions: Warm, Hot. Pigeon Pea is a sub-tropical plant and uses C4 photosynthesis, which enables it to grow more efficiently in high heat and light levels. It needs warm weather and as much sunlight as it can get.
Outdoor Growing Temp: 68°F -100°F
Min Outdoor Soil Temp: 77°F. Pigeon pea needs a warm soil for good germination. It will take 3 weeks to germinate at 77 degrees.
Start Indoors: Yes
Start Outdoors: Yes.
Light: Full Sun. Min. 6 hours daily (Warm, Hot).
Water: Pigeon pea plants are susceptible to a number of diseases, such as anthracnose, leaf spots and fusarium wilt. All of these diseases thrive in moist conditions, so keeping the leaves of the plants dry and making sure that the soil is not waterlogged can help avoid these conditions.
Suitability: High heat, Needs good drainage.
Containers?: No. Pigeon Pea develops a deep taproot.
Attracts beneficial insects?: Yes. Attracts bees and butterflies. Also provides forage to livestock and is rabbit safe.
Maintenance: Low
Plant Height: 6-12'
Spacing: 12-18"
Sow Depth: 1-4"
Produces: a woody branching stem, 2" oblong, alternating leaflets, bright yellow pea-like flowers, and 2-3 1/2" long, straight, flat green pods that contain 2-9 seeds.
Hardiness Zone: 4-8 Annual
9-12 Perennial
Soil pH: 5.0 to 7.0. Because they have deep roots, pigeon peas are capable of growing in a wide range of soils, including semiarid soils, according to the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. However, good drainage is a must for pigeon peas, as these plants do not tolerate wet soils. Prior to planting, you'll want to be diligent about clearing the garden bed of any weeds that can compete with the pigeon pea seedlings for nutrients. They’ll also grow readily in clay, loam, or sand. But they’ll still grow better if you cultivate the soil down a few inches ahead of sowing.
In areas with short growing seasons, you may start pigeon peas indoors and then transplant them out. If you try this approach, be sure to use peat pots or seed-starting containers made with some other biodegradable material so the roots won’t be disturbed when you transplant.
1) Soaking seeds overnight will improve germination
2) Inoculate seeds before sowing. To use, moisten the seed with a small amount of milk or water and stir in the inoculant until seeds are coated. Do not inoculate the seed until you are ready to sow it and do not leave the inoculated seed in the sun.
3) Fill peat pots to within 1/4 to 1/2 inch of the rim with moist soil mix.
4) Firm the surface with the back of your fingers, then add 1-2 inoculated seeds evenly over the medium of each pot.
5) Sprinkle an additional 1” of soil mix over your seeds add a label with the plant name and date.
6) Cover the finished pots with plastic and set them in a warm bright place or under lights at a room temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit .
7) Keep the soil moist as the seedlings sprout and develop. Move the pots into direct sunlight to continue growing.
Recommended Planting Time: Spring
Soil Temperature: Ideal 77F.
Average Germ Time: 21 days
Light Required: Yes
Sow Depth: 1”
Moisture: Keep seed moist until germination
1) Soaking seeds overnight will improve germination
2) Inoculate seeds before sowing. To use, moisten the seed with a small amount of milk or water and stir in the inoculant until seeds are coated. Do not inoculate the seed until you are ready to sow it and do not leave the inoculated seed in the sun.
3) Fill peat pots to within 1/4 to 1/2 inch of the rim with moist soil mix.
4) Firm the surface with the back of your fingers, then add 1-2 inoculated seeds evenly over the medium of each pot.
5) Sprinkle an additional 1” of soil mix over your seeds add a label with the plant name and date.
6) Cover the finished pots with plastic and set them in a warm bright place or under lights at a room temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit .
7) Keep the soil moist as the seedlings sprout and develop. Move the pots into direct sunlight to continue growing.
Recommended Planting Time: Spring
Soil Temperature: Ideal 77F.
Average Germ Time: 21 days
Light Required: Yes
Sow Depth: 1”
Moisture: Keep seed moist until germination
After the risk of frost has passed and spring temperatures have warmed, soak your Pigeon Pea seeds overnight to help improve germination. Once the seeds have soaked, inoculate your seeds before sowing. To use, moisten the seed with a small amount of milk or water and stir in the inoculant until seeds are coated. Do not inoculate the seed until you are ready to sow it and do not leave the inoculated seed in the sun.
Pigeon peas should be planted in a sunny location that has good drainage. Plant in rows at a depth of 1 to 4 inches. Leave 3 to 4 inches between rows and 12 to 18 inches between plants in a row.
Pigeon peas should be planted in a sunny location that has good drainage. Plant in rows at a depth of 1 to 4 inches. Leave 3 to 4 inches between rows and 12 to 18 inches between plants in a row.
Pigeon pea plants grow best in full sunlight and they do not require regular watering in order to produce a crop. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service notes that pigeon pea plants do not need to be fertilized but warns that because these plants grow slowly, it is important to keep the garden bed free of weeds during the first six weeks after planting.
Watering:
Pigeon pea plants are susceptible to a number of diseases, such as anthracnose, leaf spots and fusarium wilt. All of these diseases thrive in moist conditions, so keeping the leaves of the plants dry and making sure that the soil is not waterlogged can help avoid these conditions.
Temperature:
Pigeon pea plants prefer temperatures between 68 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit but will grow in temperatures as hot as 100 degrees.
Protection:
Pigeon peas can also become infested with aphids, which are small, sap-sucking creatures. Aphids can be removed with water pressure. If cutworms become a problem, you'll want to wrap the stems of the plants with aluminum foil to protect them.
Weeding:
Because these plants grow slowly, it is important to keep the garden bed free of weeds during the first six weeks after planting.
Pruning:
If you like, you can prune the stems once the plants are a few feet tall to increase productivity, but don’t cut too severely. Aim to cut four or five inches off the terminal branches, and you can save the cuttings to use for mulch. While this may encourage the plants to grow more vigorously, it’s not necessary.
Watering:
Pigeon pea plants are susceptible to a number of diseases, such as anthracnose, leaf spots and fusarium wilt. All of these diseases thrive in moist conditions, so keeping the leaves of the plants dry and making sure that the soil is not waterlogged can help avoid these conditions.
Temperature:
Pigeon pea plants prefer temperatures between 68 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit but will grow in temperatures as hot as 100 degrees.
Protection:
Pigeon peas can also become infested with aphids, which are small, sap-sucking creatures. Aphids can be removed with water pressure. If cutworms become a problem, you'll want to wrap the stems of the plants with aluminum foil to protect them.
Weeding:
Because these plants grow slowly, it is important to keep the garden bed free of weeds during the first six weeks after planting.
Pruning:
If you like, you can prune the stems once the plants are a few feet tall to increase productivity, but don’t cut too severely. Aim to cut four or five inches off the terminal branches, and you can save the cuttings to use for mulch. While this may encourage the plants to grow more vigorously, it’s not necessary.
Keep an eye on the plants. Once they start forming flowers, you should have fresh green peas to pick a few weeks later. You can pick those by hand, but be careful not to pull off whole branches. You can also take the extra step of bringing a pair of scissors to the garden to clip the fresh pods.
Storage:
Store them in an airtight bag for two or three days in the fridge before shelling, or in an airtight container for up to a week if they’re shelled first.
The fresh-shelled seeds can be frozen like garden peas or soybeans. Just blanch them for a couple of minutes ahead of freezing.
If you’ve harvested the dried peas and allowed them to dry out completely after processing, you can store them in an airtight container for a couple of years.
Storage:
Store them in an airtight bag for two or three days in the fridge before shelling, or in an airtight container for up to a week if they’re shelled first.
The fresh-shelled seeds can be frozen like garden peas or soybeans. Just blanch them for a couple of minutes ahead of freezing.
If you’ve harvested the dried peas and allowed them to dry out completely after processing, you can store them in an airtight container for a couple of years.
Once they've dried completely, store them in an airtight container. To save seeds to plant next year, let the pods age on the plant until they are so dry they start releasing their seeds spontaneously
Fresh pigeon peas can be used similarly to fresh peas, in both raw and cooked preparations. Use them in salads, slaws or eaten raw out of hand. The dried beans can be substituted for any other dried pea, bean or lentil. They should be soaked first, and then can be simmered, sauteed, steamed and fried.
Pigeon pea plants are susceptible to a number of diseases, such as anthracnose, leaf spots and fusarium wilt