Experiments
Madagascar Lima Bean AKA 7-year lima
It's seed shopping time of year, a habit from up north. After learning about this bean at ECHO, we are going to give this lima bean a try this spring/summer. Beautiful color beans. Lima beans are packed with nutrients too. Root knot nematodes are always a problem in summer crops and will most probably attack these, but worth a try.
Here's the description: Lima Bean 'Madagascar Bean' Phaseolus lunatus syn. P. limensis A vigorous, perennial tropical bean with pods that each contain 2-4 large purple speckled seeds that can be peeled and eaten raw or steamed when young or cooked as a dried bean. It grows well in hot, humid conditions. 12-15 weeks to maturity.
Read more here: https://www.greenharvest.com.au/SeedOrganic/VegetableGrowingInformation/MadagascarBeanGrowingInformation.html
Cassabanana
Cassabanana. Another seed trial we will be doing this summer on our fence. A perennial cucurbit that is native to Brazil. There is not a lot of information out there on its success in S Florida, nor insects and diseases. We will be prepared for just about anything including failure to grow.
Cassabanana Sicana odorifera The fruit are brilliant, flaming red and are about 2 feet long! They have bright orange flesh that is sweet and is used in drinks, jellies and other desserts; it has a unique tropical fruit taste. The fruit are so fragrant and keep for a long period, like squash, making this a hot item for fall sales for pumpkin growers. Huge vines can grow to 50 feet and are quite ornamental, but they do require a long season.
Read more here: https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/cassabanana.html
Brazilian Spinach
Brazilian Spinach. Alternanthera sissoo AKA Poor Man's Spinach, Samba Lettuce, Sissoo Spinach. A new addition to our family of spinach. What we LOVE about this one is that you can cook it. Other than New Zealand spinach, there are not many options for summer cooked spinach.
Read more here: https://www.greenharvest.com.au/Plants/Information/BrazilianSpinach.html Photo is also from this page.
Pepino
This one looks exciting. A plant that grows similar to an eggplant and produces fruit that taste melon-like. Two varieties are available and we are trying both: one with stripes and the other one is green. Some reading suggests it wants warm but not HOT weather. We shall see.
Pepino Dulce. Solanum muricatum AKA Pepino Dulce, Pepino, Melon Pear, Melon Shrub, Pear Mellon. Large sized fruit, to 4-6", sometimes weighing a pound or two. Quick growing shrub. Fruit is quite good and tastes very similar to a cantaloupe. Hardy to 27F. Will fruit in 9-12 months from seed. Fruit are the size of a large goose egg with a cream-colored rind that usually has beautiful purple stripes. It has a sweet, mild flesh. Used fresh in salads or cooked. Beautiful, glossy ornamental plants require a very long season.
Read more here: https://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/pepino.html
