Australian Black Coral Pea

[Susie Snowdrop]

Hi All,
My friend is sending me some seed for the Black Coral Pea (Kennedia nigricans).  Has anybody grown this as an annual before?  I can't find any cultural notes on it and rumour has it that they have to be put in boiling water before sowing :o.
Any help would be really appreciated as this looks like a fantastic plant, if you like that sort of thing ;)
Susie x

[Susie Snowdrop]

[Ceratonia]

I've seen these growing as weeds in Australia - pretty spectacular (and vigorous - bit like ivy or virginia creeper in terms of quickly covering a house or fence when allowed to).

Never grown them, but the advice to soak in boiling water seems reasonable. A lot of similar (bean/pea family) plants from Australia need fire or smoke to overcome dormancy. They can stay dormant for many years until conditions are right, so won't germinate just by being sown in the normal way. Pouring boiling water over them and leaving them to soak for 24 hours will soften the seedcoat. If it's worked, the seeds will be slightly swollen. You could also try abrading the hard seedcoat with sandpaper.

[Susie Snowdrop]

Thanks Ceratonia!  I feel much happier about boiling them in the kettle now ;)
Susie

[Lottie Lady 2]

So we are growing weeds then Susie.. ;D Wait until I see my friend who bought them back from Aussie Land ;)

LL2x

[Lottie Lady 2]

Susie  ;D 1 weed seed germinated!  :P

LL2 x

[Susie Snowdrop]

Lottie  :o.
:'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(I want one too!
Susie x

[Susie Snowdrop]

Oh Lottie :(,
No weeds today :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(
Susie x

[Lottie Lady 2]

 :D two more little leaves on the weed ;)

LL2 x

[Lottie Lady 2]

I have 4 little weeds now!

LL2 x

[Rain]

I did a google on these for images and they're so impressive looking... I know nothing about them though and, like you, can't find much info on them... are the beans edible? And where might I be able to get some from as I don't have an Aussie friend?! Thanks!

[Lottie Lady 2]

Hi Rain - I don't think they are edible and Susie has the remainder of the seeds and the pack they came in - I just sowed mine and sent her the rest.  We could save some seed if we manage to get them to the flowering stage, so maybe next year you can have some!

LL2x

[Rain]

Oh right, I wondered how you both seemed to get them so easily, lol. Thanks for the thought, but if they're not edible and are like ground elder, think I'll give it a miss. Good luck with yours though, would be interested to see pics at some point! x

[Rain]

'ground elder'??! I meant Virginia Creeper  ;D ;D