Growing Winged Beans in Containers

Growing winged beans in containers is very possible to try. The reasons are: Firstly, winged bean is a tropical plant and secondly, in approximately 1.5 months, winged bean has started to bear fruit. Third, the protein content of winged bean pods is very high.

As tropical plants, we are facilitated for environmental problems to grow. That is, winged bean will grow well if we plant it. The ambient temperature is in accordance with his needs.

So, on this occasion, I will share about how to growing winged beans. Especially growing it is done in containers.
Come on, let’s get started.

About the winged bean plant

If you still don’t know the winged winged, let’s first introduce this type of plant.

What is a winged tree?

Winged bean is a vine belonging to the Fabaceae (Leguminosae) tribe. The pods have four sides similar to wings, so the winged bean pods are similar to starfruit but are smaller and longer.

Winged bean is also known as cigarillas, goa bean, four-angled bean, four-cornered bean, manila bean, princess bean, asparagus bean, dragon bean.

Where do winged bean grow?

Winged bean can grow in the lowlands to a height of about 1000 meters above sea level. It means, wherever we live, we can plant this winged bean.

Although the winged bean is a tropical plant that thrives in high temperatures and humidity, it is quite tolerant of rain. Hence, winged bean is the perfect plant to grow anywhere and anytime.

I think that’s enough for the intro, let’s go straight to how to plant the winged bean.

How to grow winged beans?

In short, growing winged beans in containers can be done with the following steps:
1. Prepare the growing media.
2. Sow winged bean seeds.
3. Giving stakes.
4. Do watering regularly.
5. Fertilization.
6. Pest control.
7. Harvest.

Winged bean growing media in containers

The planting medium used is fertile media. We can use a mixture of soil, compost and burnt husks. Or soil, compost and sand, but in the presence of sand, the growing medium becomes heavier.

In addition to being fertile, the planting medium must also be porous, friable or crumbly. Because planting in containers, the longer it takes, the media will become dense because it is often watered.

Media such as husks and sand can increase the porosity of the growing media.

If forced, we can still use only two planting media. For example, between soil and compost only, soil and husks or soil and sand.
The ratio is 1:1. But, if we don’t use compost, we have to add fertilizer for the growth and fertilization of the winged bean.

Sowing winged bean seeds

Winged bean is grown from seeds. These seeds come from the fruit that is old and then dried.
The size of this winged bean is quite large, shaped like a marble with a diameter of approximately one centimeter.
If you want to see the winged bean, the picture is below.

Next, we can plant them directly in containers. The steps are like this.
– We make holes on the surface of the planting medium. Use your thumb to estimate the size and depth of the hole. The number of holes give only two.
– Each hole is filled with one winged bean seed. This means that in one container there are 2 winged bean seeds. If you’re worried that some seeds won’t grow, you can also add more.
– Then, we cover with planting media and watered. Watering needs to be done during this seeding process. The goal is to keep the planting medium moist.

How long does it take for winged bean seeds to grow?

If the winged bean seeds that I plant, the seeds will start to grow on day 5-7. It’s still normal for seeds with large sizes.

Staking for winged beans

Winged bean is a creeping plant. It can reach 4 meters in length. So we need to give him stakes.
Stakes in addition to helping plants to get sunlight faster, they are also useful for plants to grow neatly.

Stakes are awarded when the winged winged vines have grown. Or when the plant has collapsed because it is unable to grow upright.

We can use bamboo sticks or rope to make these stakes.

Watering winged bean in containers

Watering needs to be done regularly. At least once a day, we have to water it. This is so that growth is fast and normal.

Later, when the winged winged is tall and has many leaves, sometimes watering needs to be done twice. Because the plants have sucked up a lot of water, not to mention if the weather is hot and the wind blows.

Fertilizing winged bean in containers

There is literature that says that planting winged bean can be done without fertilizer at all. If the winged bean is planted as a garden plant and in the ground, it is possible.

Because winged bean is one of the plants that can fix free nitrogen. In addition, in the soil the roots can grow freely to find the necessary nutrient sources.

But, it’s different when growing winged beans in containers. The growing medium is limited and root growth is also limited.
So, the ability of roots to find sources of water and nutrients is also limited. Therefore, we must help him to meet his needs.

What fertilizers are used on winged bean plants?

Just like other crops, NPK 16-16-16 or NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer can be used to fertilize winged bean planted in containers.

Winged bean has two stages of growth, namely the vegetative and generative phases. Vegetative is the winged growth from seed until flowers appear.

While the generative phase is the winged bean growth from flowering to fruiting.
Nutrient requirements are somewhat different between the vegetative and generative phases. The vegetative phase of plants requires more nitrogen nutrients. While the generative phase, winged bean requires more phosphorus (P) and potassium (K).

Actually, NPK fertilizer is sufficient to accommodate the nutrient needs of winged bean until harvest time.
We can do fertilization by pouring. That is, one gram of NPK is mixed with one liter of water. Then made to water the winged bean in containers.

Casting is done once a week. For NPK fertilizer, it can vary. Because there are so many types of NPK on the market. It is better if NPK 16-16-16, which is easily soluble in water.

Growing winged beans in containers to get lots of fruit

In order for the winged bean in the fruit containers a lot, we can follow all the steps above.
However, after the winged winged flowers begin to appear, we give special fertilizers for the generative phase.

Use fertilizers with higher P and K content for the generative development of plants. This is very useful so that the flowers do not fall off easily.

Harvest winged beans in containers

Winged bean can be harvested when the fruit is like this.

But because I wanted to harvest it for another purpose, I postponed the harvest until the winged bean was really old.