A Community and Forum For Aquaponic Gardeners

Hunan Winged Bean

Hey Floridians,

I posted this in another thread but I'd like to share it here as well. It seems to be an especially good choice for our climates.

I wanted to show off a few examples of Hunan winged beans that I've recently harvested from my system. These things are huge! The ones in the photo are about 6-7inches long but I did pick some that were pushing the 10 inch mark. They taste good in a stir fry but they were a bit tough and fibrous. Evidently they taste better around the 4 inch mark. The young shoots and flowers are also edible and have a really nice nutty sweetness to them. I highly recommend this plant, especially in the summer months. It's done really well for me here in the Florida Keys, although it does need a lot of room.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by marty lininger on June 20, 2012 at 6:54pm

this may be a candidate for me. i am looking for a long lasting (in central FL) vine plant to provide shade for my main crop. if i can harvest something useful from it all the better.

if i grow this in a greenhouse, will it persist through through the winter?

Permalink Reply by George on June 20, 2012 at 7:31pm

I'll try it. Thanks.

Permalink Reply by Josh on June 20, 2012 at 7:38pm

Marty,

It will certainly do the job as far as shading. As for its cold tolerance, Im not really sure to be honest. I imagine it would do well provided that the temps in the greenhouse stay reasonable, but this is my first season with it so I still have alot to learn.

Permalink Reply by David Hart on June 27, 2012 at 6:52pm

Hi, wing beans are supposed to be perinnials, especially in our climate.

Marty, you might want to research Malabar spiniach. It loves the heat, and grows pretty fast. This past winter was fairly mild here in central fl...it stayed alive all winter.

Permalink Reply by Josh on June 27, 2012 at 7:36pm

Interesting. I didnt know they were perrinials.

Another hot weather vining plant that has done well for me is tatume squash. Great tasting softball sized fruit and aggressive vining foliage. Mine did well outdoors until pickle worms found them. Might be perfect for you indoors, tho.

David Hart said:

Hi, wing beans are supposed to be perinnials, especially in our climate.

Marty, you might want to research Malabar spiniach. It loves the heat, and grows pretty fast. This past winter was fairly mild here in central fl...it stayed alive all winter.