Crimson Flowering Fava

Crimson Flowering Fava Plants in Foreground

Under cover in back is Superaguadulce (Marocco) favas

The Crimson Flowering Fava is another heirloom vegetable that I learned about in William Woys Weaver's book 100 Vegetables and Where They Came From. That book is really dangerous for someone like me who likes to grow unusual or rare vegetables. One of these days I'll have to make a list of all the plants that I sought out because I read about them there.

Closer view of Crimson Flowers starting to bloom
Carrots sprouting behind.

Anyway, the Crimson Flowering Favas were first documented in the 18th century in England. This variety was brought back from the edge of extinction when the last few seeds in existence were donated by the Cutbush family to the Henry Doubleday Research Association. The association grew the seeds out and now some of the descendants of that stock are growing in my garden.

Closer view of the blossoms opening.

I got my original seeds from Copia through the Seed Savers Exchange back in 2005. Shortly after I acquired my seeds my husband and I decided to move so I didn't plant any of the seeds that year. I didn't plant any seeds the next year either because we were still searching for the perfect new home. The next year, nothing planted because we were moving at planting time. . . . . Finally, I planted them last year, but I put them in too late and the weather got too warm. . . . . I managed to save enough seeds to plant this year. And now they are starting to bloom! Yippee!

The stems have a red tint also.

The plants are multi-stemmed and grow to about 2 to 3 feet tall. The pods are small and borne upright and have 2 to 3 medium sized green seeds. I have no idea what they taste like or how best to cook them since I've not yet grown enough to get to eat some. The tender new leaves are supposed to edible (I haven't tried them) as well as the blossoms. I've read that you can increase the yields of fava beans by snipping off the tops of the plants which will promote additional new shoots and will also direct more plant resources to the beans.

Favas are self-pollinating but seemingly irresistible to bees, especially bumble bees, so it is necessary to use some isolation techniques for seed saving purposes. The recommended isolation distance is one mile. I'm growing 2 varieties this year so I am alternately covering the 2 different varieties with row cover to keep them from crossing. I could probably keep one variety under cover and one exposed, but I like to uncover them to allow them full exposure to the sun.

For seed saving purposes or to harvest dried beans, the plants must be allowed to die and turn black. The pods will also start to turn black and start to dry, but they can be harvested before fully dry and brought inside to finish drying before shelling

This is still a very rare variety and difficult to find, although there are 4 members of the Seed Savers Exchange offering seeds in the 2009 yearbook. I also found one Canadian seed company that is offering 10 seeds for $4.95 (Canadian), yikes 50 cents a seed! Perhaps a more thorough internet search would lead to more sources, but I think I'll save my own.