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Beans, Peas & Legumes

Vining Cow Peas/Field Peas

10 years ago

I'm limited to raised beds and would like to know if anyone can recommend a good vining cow pea? We love purple hull but have tried that the last couple of years with the Mississippi Pink Eye purple hull and even though they are supposed to be semi vining they never do. I've looked at many, many sites but none seem to mention if the plants have a vining habitat. Can anyone help please?

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Comments (6)

pnbrown
10 years ago
Well, the so-called "yard long" bean is a Vigna cultivar, and that is a true climber. In Fl I have a little cowpea landrace that is also a true climber (and a self-sower in the right conditions), I could probably send you some seed next winter.

Yes, most cowpea cultivars are between true bush and true climbing habit.
hementia8
10 years ago
My favorites are RED RIPPER and RED BISBEE
Both are very simular and will climb to 10 plus feet if given support
Charlie
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alamarie
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks for the suggestions! hementia8...Does the red ripper or red Bisbee taste more like a crowder? When I look them up they remind me of a crowder pea. pnbrown...I would love some seed! I'll give them a try. :)
alamarie
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks for the suggestions! hementia8...Does the red ripper or red Bisbee taste more like a crowder? When I look them up they remind me of a crowder pea. pnbrown...I would love some seed! I'll give them a try. :)
dlsm
10 years ago
GayleMarie26, here is a picture of my BVR pinkeye purple hull peas I planted this year. They are Semi-vining and some have reached 8 feet tall. They haven't had full sun yet as they were partial shaded out by my green beans.

BVR Pinkeye Purplehull Cowpea

Luther
Donna
10 years ago
I have grown zipper creams for several years. Last year, I had an extra bean teepee in the pea bed just because I needed a spot to put it. Those "bush" zippers found that teepee and went straight up it. They bore more peas than I have ever seen. I wonder if Purple Hulls would do the same if they found something to climb....

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