How to grow Pigeonpea

Cajanus cajan

- Pigeon pea is a perennial shrub that grows 5 to 7 ft tall.
- Select a location that receives at least 4 hours of direct sunlight each day.
- Plant pigeon pea seeds 1 inch deep and 12 inch apart after danger of frost is gone.
Pigeon peas can also be started indoors in a pot and then taken outside once the weather has warmed up.
- Seeds germinate in about 15-20 days. Plants will flower in about 10-15 weeks.

Pigeon Peas can be used as shelter for other plants, especially fruit trees. Plant the pigeon peas close to the tree and trim it so it is never taller than the fruit tree. the trimmed branches can be used as mulch. Pigeon peas fix nitrogen and improve the soil.

Growing Pigeonpea from seed

- Select a location that receives at least 4 hours of direct sunlight each day.
- Plant pigeon pea seeds 1 inch deep and 12 inch apart after danger of frost is gone. Pigeon peas can also be started indoors in a pot and then taken outside once the weather has warmed up.
- Seeds germinate in about 15-20 days. Plants will flower in about 10-15 weeks.
- Pods grow in big clusters at the end of branches in about 15 to 20 weeks.
- Pick the pods green for fresh peas or leave them on the plant to dry.

Ensure a distance of 11.7 inches (30.0 cm) between seeds when sowing - look to sow at a depth of approximately 1.17 inches (3.0 cm). Soil temperature should be kept higher than 18°C / 64°F to ensure good germination.

Transplanting Pigeonpea

Sow seeds 1.5 inches deep on 1 to 3 foot rows at 8 to 10 lb per acre. Drill the seed in a weed-free seedbed or transplant seedlings on 6 foot rows if grown as intercrop. Seedlings will emerge within 3 weeks, but will grow slowly, so it is important to closely manage weeds for the first 6 weeks after seedling emergence.3

Ensure that temperatures are mild (minimum night temperatures should be around 4°C / 39°F) and all chance of frost has passed before planting out, as Pigeonpea is a tender plant.

Harvesting Pigeonpea

-Pods grow in big clusters at the end of branches in about 15 to 20 weeks.
-Pick the pods green for fresh peas or leave them on the plant to dry.
-Keep threshed material as fodder for sheep.2
-The seeds should not be eaten raw.2

Pigeon Peas are ready for picking when they look and feel big to the touch if you want them green. They can be left in the tree to dry so when the pods turn brown and the pigeon peas rattle they are ready.

Seed Saving Pigeonpea

Pigeon peas can be saved in a glass container for future sowing.

How long does Pigeonpea take to grow?

These estimates for how long Pigeonpea takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

Days to Germination How long does it take Pigeonpea to germinate?
17 days

Average 17 days | Min days | Max days (0)

Days to Transplant How long until I can plant out Pigeonpea?
+ 42 days

Average 42 days | Min days | Max days (0)

Days to Maturity How long until Pigeonpea is ready for harvest / bloom?
+ 145 days

Average 145 days | Min days | Max days (0)

Total Growing Days How long does it take to grow Pigeonpea?
= 204 days

Other names for Pigeonpea

Pigeon pea, Cajano, Krante, gandules, Gunga Peas

Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.

Misspellings: Pidgeon Pea, pigeon pea, Angola pea, Congo pea, dhal, no-eye pea, gungo pea, and red gram

Footnotes

1 Tropical Permaculture

2 USDA plant guide PDF

3 “(Cook et al., 2005)”


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