Yard-long bean with and adult Maruca
Yard-long bean is grown throughout the tropics. It is common in Southeastern Asia (e.g. Thailand) and Southern China, Africa and South America.
Yard-long bean is use as a green vegetable, just like green beans. The pods can be eaten fresh or cooked in a variety of dishes.
Yardlong bean is a tropical type of bean and is related to cowpea. The name yard-long bean refers to the long fruits.
Names
Scientific
Vigna unguiculata sesquipedalis
English
Asparagus bean
Chinese long bean
Long bean
Long-podded cowpea
Snake bean
Yard-long bean
Dutch
Kouseband
Kousenband
French
Dolique asperge
Haricot kilomètre
Pois-kilomètre
German
Langbohne
Spargelbohne
Taxonomy
Genus
Vigna
Family
Fabaceae
Order
Fabales
Basic information and facts
Origin:
Distribution:
Yard-long bean is grown throughout the tropics, but very common in Southeastern Asia (e.g. Thailand) and Southern China. Also common in Africa and South America.
Annual, biennial, or perennial:
Yardlong bean is an annual plant.
Plant:
Yard-long bean grows as a climbing vine.
Flowers:
Leaves:
Fruits:
Yardlong beans are generally between 35 and 75 centimeters long. The beans hang in pairs.
Climate and weather:
Yardlong beans are found in warm tropical and subtropical climates. They prefer temperature between 25 and 35ºC, but above 15ºC during the night.
Pollination:
Yard-long bean is a self pollinating plant but cross-pollination by insects is possible.
Height:
The plant climbs as a vine and is usually grown on trellis of 2 meter tall.
Blooming period
Early varieties will produce flowers after 30 days.
Type of soil:
Yardlong bean grows in a variety of soils. It can even grow in poor soil, but then the yield will be lower.
Preferred pH:
Yardlong bean prefers pH between 5.5 and 7.5
Moisture:
Yard-long bean requires a lot of water at regular intervals (2-3 times per week).
Growth rate:
Yard-long bean grows fast and at about 45 days after planting the first beans can be picked.
Spacing (close range)
Use a distance of 40 centimeters (or less) between plants and 60 cm between rows. About 2 meter tall trellises are used to support the climbing plants.
Spacing (wide range)
Distance of 40 centimeters (or less) between plants and 90 cm between rows.
Propagation:
Yardlong bean is grown from seed.
Insect pests:
Yardlong bean is often attacked by pod borers and by aphids.
Diseases:
Harvesting:
Yardlong beans, if used as a vegetable, should be hand picked just before they reach full maturity.
Uses:
Yard-long bean is use as a green vegetable, just like green beans. The pods can be eaten fresh or cooked in a variety of dishes.
Crop categories
Vegetables
Podded vegetables
Food crops
Tropical crops
Legumes
Pictures
Yard-long bean with and adult Maruca
Yard-long bean
Podded vegetables - Yard-long bean
Yard-long bean