Overview
Dolichos longistipellatus Harms var. Gossweileri Baker f. is a plant species belonging to the legume family, Fabaceae. It is a perennial plant with long and slender stems and hairy leaves. This plant is commonly found in tropical regions of Africa, mostly in Angola.
Common Names
Dolichos longistipellatus Harms var. Gossweileri Baker f. is commonly known by various names, including Angola Bean, Hairy Bean, and Yam Bean. In Angola, it is referred to as Fungo.
Appearance
Dolichos longistipellatus Harms var. Gossweileri Baker f. is a climbing plant that can grow up to 4 meters long. It has leaves that consist of three leaflets, and each leaflet is 3 to 8 cm long and 1 to 3 cm wide. The leaves are covered with soft hairs that give them a velvety texture. The flowers of Dolichos longistipellatus Harms var. Gossweileri Baker f. are white and yellow, and they grow in clusters. The plant produces long pods that can be up to 30 cm long, and each pod contains 8 to 12 seeds.
Uses
Dolichos longistipellatus Harms var. Gossweileri Baker f. is generally used for food and medicinal purposes. The seeds, tubers, and leaves of the plant are all edible. The tubers are cooked and used as a vegetable, while the leaves are cooked and used as a spinach substitute. The seeds are roasted or boiled and consumed as a snack. They can also be ground into flour and used to make bread, porridge, and other dishes. The plant is also used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments such as stomach problems, bronchitis, and fever.
Light Requirements
Dolichos longistipellatus Harms var. gossweileri Baker f. prefers an area with full sun but can tolerate partial shade. It is important to provide sufficient light for the plant to grow and produce flowers.
Temperature Requirements
This plant needs a warm climate to thrive and grow. The ideal temperature range for the Dolichos longistipellatus Harms var. gossweileri Baker f. is between 20 to 30 degrees Celsius. It cannot survive in temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius or above 35 degrees Celsius.
Soil Requirements
The soil must be well-draining and rich in nutrients for this plant to grow healthily. Dolichos longistipellatus Harms var. gossweileri Baker f. grows best in soils that are loamy, sandy or clayey with a neutral pH level. The soil should also be moist but not waterlogged to allow for proper root growth.
Cultivation
Dolichos longistipellatus Harms var. gossweileri Baker f. is a tropical plant that is best grown in a warm and humid climate. It is essential to provide the plant with proper growing conditions to ensure its healthy growth and development. The plant can be grown from seeds or cuttings.
Watering needs
The watering needs of Dolichos longistipellatus Harms var. gossweileri Baker f. vary depending on the season and the growing medium. It is essential to keep the soil or growing medium consistently moist but not waterlogged. Inadequate watering can cause stress to the plant, leading to stunted growth.
Fertilization
Proper fertilization is essential to promote healthy growth and flowering in Dolichos longistipellatus Harms var. gossweileri Baker f. The plant requires a balanced liquid fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season. It is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions when applying the fertilizer to prevent burning the plant's roots.
Pruning
Regular pruning of Dolichos longistipellatus Harms var. gossweileri Baker f. is essential to prevent it from becoming too leggy. Prune the plant by removing any dead or damaged stems, and cut back any wayward stems to promote bushier growth. You can also pinch back the tips of the stems to promote branching.
Propagation Methods for Dolichos longistipellatus Harms var. gossweileri Baker f.
Propagation is the process of creating new individuals from the existing plant. Here are some methods for propagating Dolichos longistipellatus Harms var. gossweileri Baker f.:
Seed Propagation
One of the most common methods for propagating Dolichos longistipellatus Harms var. gossweileri Baker f. is through seeds. The seeds can be collected from the mature pods in the late summer or early fall. Before planting, soak the seeds in water for around one hour. After that, sow the seeds in a well-draining soil mix. Keep the soil damp and provide warmth and plenty of light. Seed germination can take anywhere between 2 to 4 weeks. As the seedlings grow, you can transplant them into their permanent location.
Cutting Propagation
Dolichos longistipellatus Harms var. gossweileri Baker f. can also be propagated through cuttings. For this method, select a healthy and mature stem and cut around 8-10 inches long. Remove the lower leaves and then dip the cut end of the stem into a rooting hormone. After that, plant the cuttings into a well-draining soil mix and keep the soil moist. Provide the cuttings with plenty of light and warmth. Roots usually develop in 2 to 4 weeks, and you can transplant the cuttings into their permanent location.
Division Propagation
Dolichos longistipellatus Harms var. gossweileri Baker f. can also be propagated through division. Carefully divide the plant's roots into multiple sections, making sure each section has a good amount of roots and foliage for growth. After division, plant each section into a well-drained soil mix and keep the soil moist. Transplant the divisions to their permanent location once the roots are established, and new growth appears.
Disease and Pest Management for Dolichos longistipellatus Harms var. gossweileri Baker f.
Dolichos longistipellatus Harms var. gossweileri Baker f. is a hardy plant that can withstand various diseases and pests. However, it is not immune to some pests and diseases, and preventive measures must be taken to ensure its safety.
Common Diseases
Some of the common diseases that might affect Dolichos longistipellatus Harms var. gossweileri Baker f. include leaf spot, powdery mildew, and rust.
Leaf spot: Leaf spot is caused by fungus and is characterized by the appearance of spots on the leaves. To manage this disease, it is recommended to remove the infected leaves and spray with a fungicide.
Powdery mildew: Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that appears as a white powdery coating on leaves. To manage this disease, it is recommended to prune the infected leaves and spray with fungicide.
Rust: Rust is a fungal disease that can cause significant damage to Dolichos longistipellatus Harms var. gossweileri Baker f. To manage this disease, it is necessary to remove the infected leaves, spray with a fungicide, and ensure proper plant spacing and ventilation.
Common Pests
Some of the common pests that might affect Dolichos longistipellatus Harms var. gossweileri Baker f. include spider mites, aphids, and cutworms.
Spider mites: Spider mites can be managed through regular watering and maintaining high humidity around the plant. In case of a severe infestation, spray with a miticide.
Aphids: Aphids can be managed by applying insecticidal soap or neem oil to the plant. In addition, natural predators such as ladybugs can help to control the infestation.
Cutworms: Cutworms can be managed by using collars around the plant stem to prevent worm access to the plant. In addition, handpicking and using insecticides can be effective control methods.
Overall, managing the health of Dolichos longistipellatus Harms var. gossweileri Baker f. requires periodic inspection, proper watering, and fertilizer application, as well as prompt and corrective action when diseases and pests appear.
