Features of growing and using hyacinth beans
Hyacinth bean is an annual herbaceous plant. It is often grown by those interested in vertical gardening and creating decorative hedges. This plant perfectly combines beauty and original fruits. If all care rules are followed, the vine reaches a height of up to 5 m. It blooms from mid-summer to late autumn.
Hyacinth beans or dolichos
The second name for hyacinth beans is lobia.. This is a climbing plant of the legume family.
Many also called "dolichos", but this is not quite the correct definition. Previously, hyacinth beans were classified in the genus Dolichos, but now it has been separated into a separate genus Lablab, which includes only two species.
Lobia reaches a height of 5 m. Approximately every 15 cm the stem produces lateral shoots. Each bend has three leaves of green color. On the reverse side they have bright purple veins. Flowers are collected in dense inflorescences.
Each dark brown pod produces 2-5 seeds. The beans are black, white or brown in color with a characteristic scar and can reach a size of up to 3 cm.
Reference. Botanists suggest that the plant originated from East Africa.
How to properly plant seeds for seedlings
Hyacinth beans grown from seeds. For the first time they are bought in special stores. Usually they sell from three to five pieces in one bag. In subsequent years, the plant is grown from the collected beans. So thatSince lobia pleased the eye with lush foliage and unusual color, it needs to choose non-acidic soil. It is desirable that the soil is loose.
Seeds are either immediately planted in open ground, or seedlings are first grown. The second method allows you to significantly increase the speed of vegetation. Lianas develop much faster and begin to bloom if you germinate the seeds in early spring in pots.
Important! When planting seeds directly into open ground, first wait until the night frosts recede. The specific landing time in this case varies depending on the region.
Landing dates
To grow seedlings, seeds are planted in pots or cups in mid-March. This time is considered optimal. Planting is also carried out in April.
Seed preparation
Hyacinth bean seeds have a very dense shell.. It significantly slows down germination and complicates swelling, so scarification is performed. This is not a prerequisite, but experts still recommend performing this procedure.
Also Before planting, planting material is soaked for several hours in warm waterto make the shell softer.
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What is seed scarification and how is it carried out?
Scarification is a procedure that involves targeted damage to the seed coat.. It is carried out mechanically. Using a thin awl or needle, pierce the cover. Sandpaper is also used to rub down the shell. After this procedure, the seeds are immersed in water. Through the holes made, moisture enters, due to which the development of the sprout begins.
Soil for seedlings
Properly selected soil for growing lobia is the most important condition for obtaining a strong, healthy and developed plant. The soil should have neutral acidity and be loose.
Important! Do not use acidic soil. In this case, the development of hyacinth beans will slow down significantly. Also, the plant may simply not bloom.
Planting and caring for seedlings
Two beans are planted in each pot or plastic glass to a depth of 3-5 cm. After this, the soil is thoroughly moistened until dirt is obtained.
Temperature in the room where the pots will be located, keep at +25°C.
The first shoots will begin to appear around the fifth day.
After seed germination, the pots are moved to the windowsill or where there is enough sunlight. If this is not possible, special phytolamps are used that can completely replace the sun.
Daylight hours for seedlings should last from 10 to 12 hours. With a lack of light, the seedlings will begin to stretch, which will lead to weakening of the sprouts.
Watering is carried out only when the soil is completely dry. It is advisable to moisten with a spray bottle at first so that the soil near the base of the stem does not erode.
In May, pots with seedlings begin to be taken outside to provide hardening to the plants. First for 2-3 hours a day, then the duration is gradually increased. This way the seedlings will get used to natural conditions. Some bushes already require support by this time.
Planting in open ground
The seedlings are transferred to a permanent location in early May.. By this time the earth will already be sufficiently warmed up. It is advisable to land in the evening or on a cloudy day.
Selecting a location
Choose a warm place on the site, always without drafts, very well lit. Hyacinth beans do not like shaded areas.
Planting process
Individual bushes are planted at a distance of 40 cm from each other. Add two handfuls of sand and tree resin to the holes. This neutralizes the acidity of the soil.
The soil in the pots is soaked and carefully remove the seedlings. The ends of the roots are torn off or cut off.
After placing the plant in the hole, sprinkle the roots earth and compact it a little. Everything is done carefully so as not to harm the delicate root system.
After transplantation, a small peg is immediately driven in next to it., since a plant in a permanent place in the garden begins to develop very quickly.
The bushes are well filled with warm water. Then be sure to pinch off the top leaves. Thanks to this, the growth of lateral shoots is stimulated.
When the seedlings begin to take root, install a stronger support. Small pegs will soon not be enough. A strong support will allow the plant to grow upward instead of lying on the ground. So the lobia will have lush foliage and many inflorescences.
They use ready-made supports, which are sold in specialized stores, or make them themselves. If the plant is planted near a fence, it will become a support.
Hyacinth beans require a lot of moisture. On hot summer days, the bushes are watered in the morning and evening. After the top layer has dried, the soil in the holes is loosened. Otherwise, there will be insufficient oxygen in the soil, which will slow down the growth of the plant. To reduce the amount of watering, the soil in the holes is mulched with sawdust, paper or small pieces of bark.
The first application of fertilizers is carried out a month after planting in a permanent place.. Use ready-made mineral complexes or homemade herbal infusions. To prepare the fertilizer, the weeds are placed in a container and filled with water. The contents are mixed periodically and new weeds are added after each weeding.
After two weeks, the infusion is ready. One liter is diluted in 5 liters of water. Fertilizer is poured into the hole instead of watering. Frequency – once every two weeks.
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Can hyacinth beans be eaten?
Each pod contains up to five beans. After the pods dry, they are harvested. The beans are dried and stored in a glass jar for up to five years. They taste very similar to regular green beans., so for lovers of beans, lobia will be very useful.
Hyacinth beans are beneficial. They contain vitamins, minerals, lipids, essential oils, coumarins, anthocyanins, etc. Due to this, hyacinth beans are considered a preventative against many diseases. The plant has anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antimicrobial effects.
In addition to all of the above, Lobia fruits are very tasty.
Application in landscape design
The main advantage of hyacinth beans is their decorative properties. Purple shades of leaves and fruits look great in any garden.
This plant is often used to decorate gazebos and other country houses. It is also used when people want to add greenery to the walls of houses. The liana is planted on the terrace or balcony.
Lobia is combined with clematis, another climbing plant. They are used to make hedges on verandas.
Conclusion
Growing hyacinth beans is easy.The main thing is to choose a good place for planting with neutral soil and monitor the humidity level. This plant can make a masterpiece of landscape art from any site.