Grown From Seed -Fertile Flowers - Edible Peas-Dense Production of Tubers-Diverse Seedling Progeny
Virginia is a mix of seedling grown selections which will produce edible seeds as well as tubers. We include at least 2 types of tubers. We were fortunate to grow this strain from seed from populations in Virginia and North Carolina. Each plant is genetically different with different types of tubers from small to medium size. Tubers are 1- 2 inches in size and have a smooth thin skin.
Virginia is perfect for northern gardens as the tubers form easily in a 90 to 120 day growing season. The tubers can also be left in the ground to fill a bed and over the course of 2-3 years. Unlike potatoes or sunchokes tubers grow older and can be perfectly fine to eat even after 3 years.
Foliage is produced in fairly dense vines and should be trellised for pea production. Peas are produced when flowers are pollinated. We provide a mix of these seedlings in the hope of provide a fertile planting which will produce other diploids as well as greater pea production. The seeds are edible as well, however no one has made plantings to any degree to show the practicality of the additional legume crop from this amazing tuber. We feel Virginia may be a good legume crop and higher in production that other types we have grown. The tubers are also very easy to propagate on your own as well.
| Plant Specs |
| Genus & Species |
Apios americana |
| Seed Source |
Afton, Virginia and North Carolina |
| Hardiness |
minus 25 or more |
| Height (ft) |
10-15 |
| Width (ft) |
1-5 |
| Pollination Requirements |
Virginia is pollinated by bumblebees and possibly carpenter bees. |
| Soil |
Does best in moist soil but tolerates dry soil. Irrigate for best yields. |
| Climate |
Zone 3-9. Adaptable to even dry climates. |
| Ease of Cultivation |
Anyone can grow this. Trellis plus irrigation means a crop in one year. it sometimes takes two years for beginning pea production. |
