How to Grow Mucuna Sempervirens From Seed

Use an emery board or fingernail file to rub a small spot on the rounded side of each velvet bean seed, until the spot's lighter color indicates that you have broken through the seed coat. After this scarification, soak the seeds in a covered container of room-temperature water for 24 hours.

Select seeds which have swollen in size to plant right away. Repeat the emery board treatment on the ones which do not appear to have absorbed much moisture, and return them to the container of water to soak for another day.

Mix together equal parts of seed starting mix, sand and perlite. Fill 3-inch-diameter seedling pots with the blend to within 1 inch of their rims, and plant one seed three-fourths of an inch deep in each pot.

Encase the pots loosely in 1-quart clear plastic bags closed with twist ties. Place them on a seedling heat mat to provide temperatures in the low 80s Fahrenheit. Watch for the seeds to sprout within two weeks to a month.

Remove the bags after the sprouts appear, and place the pots in a sunny south window or under the center of grow-lights timed to run for at least 12 hours per day. Water them enough to keep their soil damp but not soggy. Fertilize them every two weeks with diluted fish emulsion, 1 tablespoon per 1 gallon of water.

Move the seedlings to a shady spot outdoors about two weeks before you intend to plant them in the ground. Expose them gradually to more sunlight, until they are receiving it for most of the day.

Choose a permanent location for your velvet bean seedlings on the outside of a pergola where they will receive at least six hours of sunlight per day. Plant one seedling a foot away from each pergola post.

Water the seedlings well and mulch them with a couple inches of compost to help keep their roots cool and moist. Continue to water them as needed to keep their soil damp.

Fertilize the velvet bean plants once a month in spring and summer with 3 tablespoons of fish emulsion added to 1 gallon of water. Use that gallon to cover 25 square feet of ground. Stop fertilizing the plants in the fall and winter and reduce their water somewhat, but never allow the ground to dry out completely.