To resolve the doubt of whether they can be sowing packaged chickpeasThe first thing we must keep in mind is that this legume is the seed of the plant.
So, if we plant a chickpea, we can see a plant germinate in a very short time. Let's see if this is as easy to achieve with packaged chickpeas.
Planting canned chickpeas: yes, but no
Chickpeas are a seed of great nutritional value and highly appreciated worldwide, because they have been and are an essential food for humanity.
If the idea of planting chickpeas and doing so from those that are already packaged and that we can find in any supermarket has crossed your mind, you should be clear that this It's not a good idea.
Technically we could get a plant from a canned chickpea, but in practice it will be very difficult for it to germinate. Why? Because these legumes are subjected to processes such as pasteurization which makes them lose their viability as seeds. In fact, if one of these chickpeas manages to germinate, what we will end up with is a very weak plant that will have serious difficulties in surviving.
Steps to plant packaged chickpeas
If you like challenges and you have decided to grow a plant using canned chickpeas, you can follow these tips to try to obtain the best possible results.
Select the seeds well
Try to choose chickpeas that are not damaged and that look healthy. If they are broken or have any kind of discoloration, it will be even more difficult for them to germinate.
Also, read the label on the package carefully, because you need to work with legumes that have not been cooked or treated with chemical additives. Unfortunately, it is difficult to find this on the market.
Soak the seeds
Now that you have selected your seeds, soak them in water at room temperature for 24 hours. We do this to soften the seed coat and activate the embryo, thus increasing the chances of germination.
Soil preparation
Success does not only depend on the seed, the soil also has a lot of influence.
The best thing is that this is rich in nutrients and has good drainage capacityIf you are going to use a pot, you need a container that has a minimum depth of 30 centimeters so that the roots can develop well.
If you plant in the garden, add a little organic fertilizer or compost to the soil to improve its quality.
Siembra
To sow, make furrows in the ground between three and four centimeters deep, and try to leave a minimum distance of 10 centimeters between one seed and another.
Once all the chickpeas are in their location, cover the seeds with soil and lightly compact the soil so that the seed has contact with the substrate and can feed on it.
Irrigation and aftercare
During the first few weeks after planting, water gently, making sure that the substrate is kept moist but it should not be soggy, because we do not want the seeds to rot.
When the seedlings begin to emerge and are already a few centimeters tall, you can reduce the frequency of watering.
Pest control
Periodically check your chickpea plants, because they are especially attractive to mites and aphidsIf you notice its presence, apply a organic insecticide.
Fungi can also make an appearance on your plants, especially if there is a lot of humidity. So we advise you to carry out regular monitoring and take action if you discover that something is wrong.
Chickpea harvest
If you have managed to germinate the packaged chickpeas and the plant survives, it is time to harvest the crop.
You can remove the pods with the chickpeas when you notice that they are dry and hard to the touchThis usually happens between three and four months after sowing.
Cut the plant close to the ground and allow the pod to dry completely, then you can harvest them.
Tips for getting better results when planting canned chickpeas
Here are some useful tips that will help you obtain a bountiful and quality harvest:
- Don't skip the step of soaking the chickpeas. This is essential to soften the seed coat, and if you do not do this, the germination process may take longer than desired. It may even happen that the seed never germinates.
- Make sure the canned chickpeas you use are raw and that in its manipulation have not been treated with chemicals.
- This plant needs lots of sunlight. Place it in a location where it can receive a minimum of six hours of light each day. If not, the plant will grow weak and may not produce fruit.
- Control irrigation. Too much water can quickly kill the plant. You need to keep the soil moist, but not soggy.
- Si some seed does not germinate, try giving it a new 24-hour soak and plant it in soil enriched with compost.
- Plant at the right time to increase your chances of success. This can vary depending on the region, but usually coincides with the months of spring.
If you have managed to obtain new legumes from sowing canned chickpeas, congratulations, because it is not easy at all. Enjoy your harvest and don't forget to save some of the new chickpeas to plant again next season. Since these have not received any treatment, it should be easier for you to obtain more legumes.
In case your experiment is not successful, do not give up. You can plant chickpeas in your garden from certified chickpea seeds which you can find in gardening shops and through specialized suppliers. They are seeds specially selected for sowing and their germination rate is quite high. You are sure to get a good result.
As you can see, although it is possible to sow packaged chickpeas, you will always get better results with certified seeds.