Looking for Pigeon Pea Seed

Hello all....I have been looking for pigeon pea seed that is organic and open pollinated with no chem/fungicidal treatments and am having a terribly hard time. Specifically because I am looking to buy a pound or so, and the two or three sites I have found sell only 1 oz. packets, and some are not openly "organic" or "open pollinated".

My question is....does anyone out there know of any good sources of bulk pigeon pea seed? I have a feeling there are some folks out there saving their own and I would love to find you and strike up some sort of trade. My wife and 5 month old son are involved with a young, growing permaculture farm/community in Northern Nicaragua and will be heading down in a month to spend some more time. Would love to figure out some pigeon pea seed ahead of time.

For the wild
Travis

Maybe this one?

http://www.cherrygal.com/beanbushpigeonpeaheirloomseed2009new-p-12116.html

Sandra thanks for the link, but again cherrygal is like the others...small 1 oz packets....if i can't find anything else this will work, but as I'm trying to get a pound or more it seems there should be an easier, less energy intensive, cheaper way...haha...thanks so much for the link though

Saw pigeon peas in the bulk section at whole foods the other day. Not sure if they are viable seeds, but I've sprouted a few things out of their bulk bins before. I did not check the price per pound.

Thanks Yukkuri...I'll have to check my local bulk store...don't have a whole foods here, but good idea...I've definitely sprouted things from the bulk section as well. Good lead


thanks

Another potential source is Indian markets (as in Asian Indian..) where Pigeon Pea is called Toor Dal.

Checked the bulk pigeon pea at whole foods market yesterday, it is not organic. AFAIK, most pigeon pea varieties are landraces with good genetic diversity.

I got mine at the local Indian market. A 5lbs of seed for less than $5. Germination rate seems to be around 50%, though that may increase since I'm only on day 4 of my test. I don't know about what they've been treated/not treated with, but I wouldn't worry about that anyhow. Any residual pesticides that managed to get on the seeds would be long gone by the time I'm harvesting my own from the mature plants. Plus, since they're a podded species, I'll bet most chemicals would be gone with the pods in processing.

I'm hoping I can pull off perennializing them here in 9a/8b.

Seems like finding a bulk market is the way to go. They aren't at my local bulk food section. Guess I'll see if I cant find a Whole Foods near by....I wouldn't worry about residuals either, particularly after saving seed and moving onto future generations. Mostly just want to know they aren't hybrid, as it seems a lot of pigeon pea is these days, and it wouldn't surprise me in the least to see hybridized pigeon pea ending up in the whole foods bulk section. It will be interesting to see if all your baby pigeon peas are true to each other/parents.

Thanks for all the great help everyone

Vidad MaGoodn wrote:
I'm hoping I can pull off perennializing them here in 9a/8b.

Me too. Let us know if you have any success.

I will. I've got moringa and cassava here and they haven't kicked off yet... I'm curious to see how the pigeon peas do.

And after a few more days of germination testing, it seems my success rate is easily 75%. Just planted a mess in a flat and various unused pots in the greenhouse.

Just found this:
http://www.purcellmountainfarms.com/Pigeon%20Peas.htm

Anyone know the difference between Cajanus cajan and Cajanus Indicus?

I have as much seed as you want. Several different varieties. My email is stephen@kopali.com

Has anyone else tried emailing Stephen? I sent him an email 1 1/2 weeks ago and have heard no response..

will you be interested to source pigeon peas from Africa?.can assist in that regard.email:safreshpro@gmail.com

I'm hoping I can pull off perennializing them here in 9a/8b.

We're in an 8/9 zone here. I got a handful of seeds and planted some 2 years ago out in the yard, and they died in the winter frost of that year. I have one growing under the eaves in a south facing planter box, and it's surviving the winter, so far.  I got a handful of seeds from it over last summer to cycle into next year. Just before the weather started to get really cool, I cut it back and chopped the leaves into the planter box to keep it all under the eaves. It's trying to bloom again, even in the cold! I'm not sure if the flowers will produce, though.

I am surprised at how tall it's growing! I never expected them to get so tall.

I think I might plant some more to break up the 105* F summer sun for a few plants that can't take the heat and just accept that they won't survive, just plant the seeds they put out the next year again, and grow it as an annual protector plant.