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Decaisnea fargesii
BLUE SAUSAGE FRUIT
SKU: 1543-5
Decaisnea fargesii, the blue sausage fruit, blue bean shrub, or dead men's fingers, is a deciduous shrub that grows to 4 m tall and broad, but may achieve 8 m (26 ft) eventually.
It has divided leaves up to 90 cm (35 in) long, but its main attraction is the pendant bean-like pods, which appear in autumn, and are an unusual blue-grey colour. It is hardy to -20 C.
The pulp is edible and tastes like watermelon. The peel and seeds are poisonous.
Type: Hardy shrub
Location: Sun
Hardiness zones: 5-9
Seeds per packet: 5
Note: The peel and seeds are very poisonous. Ornamental use only.
Germination: Sow the seeds just under the surface and water in. Leave them at room temperature for 4 weeks. This helps break the phytohormones which inhibit germination. They will not grow yet. Then a cooling period is required. Cover them with plastic and place in a fridge for 6 weeks. Be sure they stay moist. After the cold-moist stratification period they are then brought back to a cool room (15-18C, 59-68F) for them to germinate. Germination can be erratic, generally 30-90 days after the warming period, though some can take longer.
Decaisnea fargesii, the blue sausage fruit, blue bean shrub, or dead men's fingers, is a deciduous shrub that grows to 4 m tall and broad, but may achieve 8 m (26 ft) eventually.
It has divided leaves up to 90 cm (35 in) long, but its main attraction is the pendant bean-like pods, which appear in autumn, and are an unusual blue-grey colour. It is hardy to -20 C.
The pulp is edible and tastes like watermelon. The peel and seeds are poisonous.
Type: Hardy shrub
Location: Sun
Hardiness zones: 5-9
Seeds per packet: 5
Note: The peel and seeds are very poisonous. Ornamental use only.
Germination: Sow the seeds just under the surface and water in. Leave them at room temperature for 4 weeks. This helps break the phytohormones which inhibit germination. They will not grow yet. Then a cooling period is required. Cover them with plastic and place in a fridge for 6 weeks. Be sure they stay moist. After the cold-moist stratification period they are then brought back to a cool room (15-18C, 59-68F) for them to germinate. Germination can be erratic, generally 30-90 days after the warming period, though some can take longer.
