Canavalia Species, Sword Bean, Swordbean

I first grew this plant from a can found in a GeoCache box in Columbia, SC. I have no idea how long the can had been in the box, but the ...Read Moreplant grew within 10 days. It was fun growing the first one, especially when the pod got to be over 7 inches long! I harvested 7 seeds from it and one-by-one those seeds have sprouted into plants this season. They are each in pots. My only problem is that the insects outside my apartment are having a feast of my plants. It has been a struggle trying to keep them from being devoured. I just hope that they will be able to survive well enough to grow pods and produce more seeds for next year!

I am looking forward to growing this out. I lost my first seedling because the people that control the weather were plotting against me ...Read More(it froze when it wasn't supposed to).

The seeds germinated quickly and explosively - This would be a great plant to use to teach children about plants and their life cycle.

Received seed from local green market; was uncertain if it was edible. Planted to do research. Planted at base of dead dogwood tree in Ju...Read Morely 2006 in full sun. Has done very well, growing to 10 feet. Large heavy bean pods produced rapidly. The 2006 summer was dry and the plant was watered occasionally. Flowered profusely with purple/white flowers and produced an abundant crop of bean pods. At this time (01Nov06) we are allowing the beans to ripen and will harvest dry beans after they dry on the vine.

Research indicates the seeds have been used for a food source in Asian countries, but there are also reports of ill effects of consumption. More research to do here.

Overall, the plant is a good performer in zone 8a in midsummer and would work well as an ornamental or conversational because of its enormous size pods and beautiful flowers. It needs solid support and good sun exposure.

Got this bean as a gift in a can!! As the plant sprouted, the bean itself lifted out of the soil with the words "I love you" imprinted on...Read More the cotyledons! Had no idea what kind it was so simply transplanted to the back yard, and found out it looks like Jack-in-the-beanstalk beans -- huge! Fun plant to grow. Hope to collect seeds this fall and give plants out. Flowers are lovely and good sized, too, though this is definitely a bean plant, not a flower plant.

I planted this like any bean plant, and it took off without a hitch. Needs a fence or a strong trellis to support the weight of the vine...Read More and seedpods. Seedpods are heavy! The beans can be eaten, but only after special preparation. I haven't tried them myself.