Species Chick Pea
green leaves and lime-green stems

Chick Pea

Cicer arietinum

Chick Pea (Cicer arietinum) is an annual plant in the legume family, Fabaceae, grown for its edible seeds. The seeds are a nutrient-rich and versatile source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. It is fairly easy to cultivate and adapts well to unfavorable environments, which makes it an ideal crop for many parts of the world. The plant grows in a range of soil types, from heavy clay to loose and sandy soils. It needs plenty of sunlight and regular watering for optimal growth. Harvested seeds can be cooked, sprouted, or roasted and used in a variety of dishes. The plant is a valuable source of income for many small-scale farmers.

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Cutting,Layering Propagation,Division,Grafting Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,yellow

Growth Rate:

High

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Chick Peas require frequent watering in order to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Water the soil until it is evenly moist every week or 2, or when the top of the soil begins to dry out. Avoid over-watering, as this can cause root rot. Make sure the plant gets plenty of water while it is flowering and setting pods. During the hottest parts of summer, it may be necessary to water the plant more frequently.

sunlight

Chick peas (Cicer arietinum) are an annual plant species that thrive in full sun and need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day in order for optimal growth and development. This species of plant can tolerate some shade, but will need more intense light for best results. During the spring and summer months, when the sun is at its highest and most direct, the plant will benefit the most from its surroundings. In the winter months, however, less direct and less intense light will need to be supplemented to keep the chick pea plants healthy and strong.

pruning

Chick pea plants should be pruned in early spring when the plant is still in the vegetative stage of growth. This will help ensure that the plant is able to produce more side shoots and increase the chance of the plants setting pods. The amount of pruning will depend on the size and vigour of the plants. To start, remove any diseased or damaged branches. Then only remove a few of the branches that are growing near the base of the plant, taking out the ones that are crossing over others or are growing weakly. Too much pruning can be detrimental and reduce yield.