Introduction to growing Cluster beans in pots
Cluster bean is also called as Guar, Lond bean, Gawar. The botanical name of Cluster beans is Cyamopsis tetragonoloba. Cluster bean is also raised as green manure and cover crop. Cluster beans are very easy to grow in balconies and containers. Cluster beans are easy to germinate and come enthusiastically; they can be sown directly on the ground also. Cluster bean plants like very much a little acidic, well-drained, sandy or loamy soil. This popular Cluster bean vegetable sown everywhere in India, it is also called guar beans. Cluster beans plant height is around 1 to 2 meters, its leaves are oval and an upright plant with branches. Cluster bean flowers are blue, pink, yellow, and white colors in the flakes. It creates thin and shiny seedpods of green color that is in the Cluster, this is why it is called Cluster beans.
A guide to growing Cluster beans in pots from the seed
To grow Cluster bean plant in the container, you can adopt the above planting process, but check the drainage hole on its surface before planting it in the pot. Cluster beans plant grows between 1 to 2m in height; it is an upright plant with oval-shaped leaves and fine branching. Cluster bean plant develops a bunch of flowers, in colors of blue, pink, pale, and white depending on the variety before forming seedpods. These are the only source of making guar gum which is a thickening agent used in industries such as food, paper, and textile. The mature seeds of Cluster beans are crushed and then turned into flour. Cluster beans have glyconutrients that help in controlling blood sugar levels in the body. Cluster beans have calcium which helps in strengthening bones. The seeds have phosphorous which aids in fortifying bones. Cluster seeds also improve heart health by lowering bad cholesterol in the body. The Cluster seeds have dietary fiber; potassium and folate that prevent the heart from various cardiovascular complications. Because the Cluster seeds have iron, they increase hemoglobin production which in turn helps in proper blood supply in and around the body.
Popular varieties of Cluster beans
The popular varieties of Cluster beans are Pusa Mausami, Pusa Naubahar, Goma Manjari and Pusa Sadabahar.
Durgajay, Agaita Guara-111, Agaita Guara-112, FS-277, HFG-119, HG-75, Guara-80, HG-182, Maru Guar, HFG-156, Bundel Guar-1, Bundle Guar-2, Bundel Guar-3, and Guar Kranti are some of the improved Cluster bean varieties.
Soil and location for growing Cluster beans in pots
Cluster beans can be easily grown in many types of soil. Cluster bean plants thrive perfectly on well-drained, sandy loam and loamy soil. For this, heavy and waterlogging soil damages the Cluster bean plants. Cluster bean does not grow well in Saline and alkaline soils. For this, soil pH levels 7 to 8.5 is good.
Cluster bean plants propagation
The Cluster bean plant is easily propagated from seed. Buy Cluster bean seeds from a garden shop or prepare your seeds from scratch. Empty a fully ripened bean pod and dry it in the sun. It can take several days to dry completely. Once dried, and then store in a brown paper bag in a cool dark place.
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Cluster bean plant distance, Cluster bean seed spacing
Spacing is important to ensure that the plant can get proper nutrients, moisture, and light enabling its proper growth. It mainly involves intra and inter-row spacing. The recommended spacing is 10 to 15 cm distances between two plants in a row and a distance of 45 to 60cm row to row.
Conditions for growing Cluster beans in pots or containers
Cluster bean plants can be easily grown in the container. You can buy high-quality Cluster bean seeds online or from a nursery. The Cluster bean has a long taproot, which is not a good idea to implant it, so you can put it directly at the desired location. Then, loosen the ground where you want to plant it, Enrich the soil with plenty of compost, and remove the surrounding weed. Keep in mind that the soil must be well-drained. Sow seeds about 1 to 1.5 inches deep and cover with light soil. Its seeds will germinate in a few days and thin planting 6 inches apart is good for this.
Sow Cluster bean seeds
Sow 3 to 4 seeds in one place and remove the weaker plants when they are 4-5 inches tall. Sow the Cluster bean seeds about 1/2 inches under the soil. Good seeds under suitable conditions germinate even in two days. But it may take even up to 6 to 7 days sometimes for germination to happen. For faster germination, you may soak the seeds in Amrut Jal for 10 to 12 hours before sowing. When planting on the ground or bigger containers keep about 12 to the 16-inch distance between two plants.
Planting Cluster beans
Sow your Cluster beans seeds in about 1 inch deep holes in neutral to slightly acidic, well-drained, sandy or loamy soil in a sunny, but not too hot spot. They grow till about 5 feet in height, so plant them at least 12 inches apart to provide space for plant growth. Cluster beans grow well on open plots and containers of all sizes.
Place mulch around saplings as weeds can deter growth. Water daily but take care not to over-water or flood the container. This Cluster bean plant does not take well to constant moisture and humidity. It is also highly prone to insect attacks and once attacked, it rarely recovers. Cluster beans will grow to full size within 2 months and need support as they tend to tip over as they grow taller. Stake a pole or stick alongside it, and loosely tie your Cluster bean plant to it as it grows taller. Snip off yellowing branches and dead leaves to strengthen the growth of the Cluster bean plant. Growing Cluster beans plant is similar to southern peas. You can buy Cluster bean seeds online or from stores. Cluster beans have a long taproot that is why transplanting its seedlings is not a good idea and plant it directly at the desired spot.
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Choose the sunniest spot of the garden and remove the weeds before planting. Sow Cluster bean seeds ½ to 1 inch deep in loose well-drained soil with a lot of compost and farm manure mixed in it. Cluster bean seedlings will germinate in a few days, thin out the healthiest of them 6 inches apart. Water well until the Cluster bean plants establish completely. Cluster bean plants can be grown in containers too; the method of planting is similar to the way it is planted on the ground.
Cluster beans growing in pots/containers
When Cluster bean young plants are about 4 inches tall, nip off the weaker plants keeping the strongest plant intact. As this is warm-season crop water will tend to evaporate quickly from the soil. Hence mulching becomes a must especially when you grow Cluster beans in pots. Soil can have a thin layer of organic mulch at the time of sowing the Cluster bean seeds. When plants have grown to a size of around 6 inches the mulch can be supplemented so that it is approximately 4 inches thick.
Cluster bean plants need 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight and they do not do well in shaded areas. The daytime temperature needs to be in the thirties for the plant to grow well. Though Cluster bean plants can tolerate high-temperature ranges, they tend to giver lower yield when the temperature starts going beyond 40°C.
Young Cluster bean plants require support in the form of staking. But under normal wind conditions, it is not needed. Cluster bean plants grow up to 3 to 5 feet when grown in containers. The first sign of flowers can be seen in about 50 to 60 days after germination. This is the time when you should supply the plant with some organic manure like vermicompost. Till then routine irrigation with Amrut Jal, Jeevamrut, or any other organic soil conditioners once every 12 to 15 days is enough. Cluster bean plants are not heavy eaters so you don’t have to supplement the soil with compost till they start flowering.
Water requirement for Cluster beans plants growing in pots
Water your Cluster bean plant every day in the summer, when giving water to the plant; make sure that the water is to be placed above the plant in the form of a shower and not as a sharp edge.
Cluster beans plant care
- Cluster bean plants are very drought-tolerant and prefer the presence of the full sun, though it is susceptible to frost. The Cluster bean plant works regularly and with a little rain, but extra water is required during the growing season and maturity.
- Because Cluster beans are a Kharif crop, due to which many types of weeds grow automatically around the crop, and compete with the main plant for nutrients, and humidity, so it is essential to remove them.
- The Cluster bean plant is drought tolerant, though it loves water when it is establishing and flowering, regular watering is essential at that time.
- Fertilize your Cluster bean plant with 10-10-10 fertilizer after a month of planting; you can use single super phosphate fertilizer if your soil test indicates a lack of phosphorus in soil.
Pest problem of guar or Cluster bean
Cluster bean plants are also susceptible to various types of pests. Normally, it is difficult to have leafhopper, Ash weevils, and Pod Borer. In different ways, you can control it easily. Bacterial blight in the plant is a disease caused by bacteria; this disease is mostly on the surface of the leaves during the Kharif season crop. Alternaria leaf spot is a fungal disease, due to which the plant leaves appear dark brown spots. Anthracnose causes black spots to appear on plant leaves, stomach, and stem. Powdery mildew is a common fungal disease, due to which the leaf surface looks like white powder.
Cluster bean harvesting
Cluster beans like all other beans must be harvested with a pair of garden scissors. Pulling by hand damages the Cluster bean plant and other young pods and flowers on the branch.
Cluster beans will be ready for harvesting in about 60 to 90 days and the green pods can be harvested from the plant by cutting or by twisting. Picking of green pods must be continued over some time as they continue to pop up as the plant grows.
The conclusion of growing Cluster beans in Pots
The above-said information is also useful for growing cluster beans on the terrace, growing Goruchikkudi in pots, growing Guar in pots at home, growing cluster beans in the Polyhouse, and plantation of cluster beans indoors. You may also use the information for growing organic cluster beans by utilizing the vermicomposting process.
My seeds are rotting and not germinating. Please help.
Cluster beans are subject to a few problems, including rotting seeds. Choosing disease-resistant plant varieties and giving them the right care can eliminate these issues. Bean seeds require warm soil to germinate and grow. In cold soils, they can germinate poorly or rot and never emerge at all. Beans seeds germinate best when soil temperatures are between 21 to 26°C. Bean seeds may rot if they’re planted too deeply, particularly in spring, when the soil is cold and wet. Plant seeds in the spring no deeper than 1 inch to ensure they germinate quickly.
The seed germination process requires a moist growing environment. Though, overly wet growing medium can result in rotted seeds. Moisten the seed flat with warm water sprinkled on the growing medium before you plant the bean seeds. Please, avoid soggy soil and cold water applications that encourage seed rot. Cold conditions can result in rot on germinated seeds. Preferably, start the bean seeds on a heat mat or under fluorescent lights. Artificial lights provide both light and warmth for burgeoning bean seeds.
I grew Gawar in CA, USDA zone 9b. I got the seeds from a seller in Texas, don’t know the variety. My soil is clay but well ammended. The Gawar turned out stubby maximum 1 inch to 1.5 inch long. Do you have any idea why the beans were so short. I’m unable to find a cause published. Could it be the variety? In US they only care for this bean for its guar gum. So I suspect they would grow a bean that has more seed than pod.
Plants were healthy and no disease till plants were old and no longer producing.
this are my favorite beans I had same issue starting my seed but finally I purchased Jiffy seed starting tray from garden center at lows and was able to start my seed growing, once roots started to come out of pallets I transplanted .
I been planting my Vege straight in garden soil bags as no need of pot -digging or no weeds I simply cut top off make sash in bottom for extra water to run out few small hole around for air flow as plastic might get hot in Florida summer and been successful. my guar 5ft tall currently and okra 8 ft growing in bags.