The Story Behind
'First Flight' Winged Beans
In-depth research has led to the development of 'First Flight'.
It was selected in experimental trials for its ability
to produce a yield of succulent pods
in the summer-autumn season of coastal NSW.
‘First Flight’ is able to flower in the longest days of summer.
What is a Cultivar?
The term “cultivar” refers to a distinct variety of a crop species. To create a cultivar, horticulturalists carry out experiments to breed
a plant type with characteristics that will enable it to perform consistently well in the particular environment in which it will be planted.
Why Winged Beans?
The humble Winged Bean is native to Southeast Asia and Melanesia. It belongs to the leguminous family and thrives in tropical climates. This climbing vine has gained in popularity amongst gardeners interested in growing their own vegetables, as the entire plant is edible, even the tubers.
'First Flight'
Introducing this brand-new winged bean cultivar, ‘First Flight’.
This new cultivar of one of Southeast Asia's favourite garden vegetables has been developed for warm, frost-free Australian climates for you to grow and enjoy in your own backyard!
The First Flight Vision
For 30 years, agronomist Graham Eagleton has been working to develop a winged bean variety suited to the Australian climate.
‘First Flight’ is the first cultivar that consistently flowers and produces vegetable pods in moist, frost-free environments of coastal New South Wales, far away from its original home in the tropical regions of Southeast Asia.
If planted with trellis support from October to December, 'First Flight' will usually produce flowers within 80 days and delicious edible green pods after 100 days. In cooler environments, it behaves as an annual and dies back in mid-winter. Although the winged bean vine is usually planted as an annual, in tropical environments many cultivars can persist as perennials, and produce a good harvest of edible pods for quite a few years.
All About Winged Beans
The winged bean is an edible plant of the humid tropics, belonging to the leguminous family. It has a branching, viny growth habit with soft, edible, leaves, and nectar-filled flowers that attract bees. The flowers, roots, and bean pods can all be eaten after appropriate cooking. The nutrient-rich rectangular bean pods bear frilly-edged wings along their length. The roots are initially fibrous and well-nodulated, later becoming thick and tuberous. The root system has a well-deserved reputation for fixing nitrogen. As a vegetable crop, the winged bean has long been grown in gardens of the humid tropics in Southeast Asia and Melanesia. Mainly grown for their nutritional value and sustained bean pod yield, just one or two vines are sufficient to meet individual household needs.
