Drought-tolerant and heat-resistant pigeon peas are an easy-to-grow staple food, and they attract pollinators too.
Pigeon peas can beused just like corn, and they are usually easier to grow andrequire less waterand fertilizer.
Pigeon peas are also spectacular pollinator plants, making them awelcome addition to pollinator gardens.
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For best results, start the seeds in potting soil.
Use peat pots, which can be planted in the garden along with your seedlings.
The pots protect the seedlings tender roots at planting time and help prevent transplant shock.
However, while pigeon pea plants are still young, theybenefit from deep and regular watering.
Temperature and Humidity
Pigeon peas are not frost-hardy, but they handle the heat like champs.
In fact, if pigeon peas get too much fertilizer, they produce leaves instead of pods.
Here are some of the most common issues you may encounter when growing pigeon peas.
Deercan do a lot of damage in gardens and devour lots of vegetable plants, including pigeon peas.
Armywormsare thecaterpillars of certain moths, and they love munching on plant leaves.
Armyworms can riddle plants with holes or skeletonize leaves entirely.
How to Propagate Pigeon Peas
Pigeon pea plants are best propagated by seed.
It is tolerant of heat and drought but doesn’t tolerate frost or saline soil.
Flavus
Cajanus cajan ‘Flavus’ is an early maturing variety.
It is relatively short with yellow petals and green pods that lighten as they ripen.
Each pod holds three seeds.
Developed in Florida, ‘Amarillo’ can be sown and harvested year-round in Zones 10-12.
When cooked, pigeon peas have a higher starch content than standard peas but arent quite as sweet.
Fresh pigeon peas can be eaten raw in salads or as an on-the-go garden snack.
However, once pigeon peas begin to dry, they should be soaked and cooked before eating.
