Peanut 'Valencia' (Arachis hypogaea) – Offered by Le Potager Ornemental de Catherine
The 'Valencia' peanut is an early and productive variety, well adapted to northern regions and capable of maturing in zone 4. It produces small red peanuts , enclosed in an elongated shell, usually containing 3 to 4 seeds .
The plant, which reaches about 50 cm in height , can be grown in the ground or in a container . To obtain an optimal harvest, it is essential to let the pods ripen as late as possible and to dry them quickly after harvest to avoid the development of aflatoxin (a potentially dangerous toxin present in moldy or blemished peanuts).
Characteristics of the variety
Type : Annual
Plant habit : Compact, 50 cm high
Seed color : Red
Number of seeds per pod : 3 to 4
Maturity : +100 days
Tolerance : Good adaptation to cool climates
Use : Fresh, dried or grilled consumption
Quantity per sachet : ±20 seeds
🌱 Cultivation method
🌞 Exposure : Full sun
🌱 Sowing :
• Indoors 4 to 8 weeks before last frost
• Transplant when the temperature exceeds 10°C
📏 Sowing depth : 2.5 cm
🌡 Germination temperature : 25-30°C
⏳ Germination time : 7 to 14 days
🌿 Spacing : 30 cm between plants
💦 Watering : Regular, on well-drained and sandy soil
🌾 Protection : Protect from frost at the end of the season and harvest as late as possible, when the plants begin to dry out.
Once harvested, peanuts must be dried properly to improve their taste and prevent mold. Fresh, they have a slightly bitter flavor , which mellows with drying and cooking.
Use and special features
🥜 A peanut adapted to cool climates
Unlike later varieties, 'Valencia' can mature even in zone 4 with hot summers.
🌱 Pot culture possible
It adapts well to deep container cultivation, which allows it to be grown in urban areas.
🔥 A taste that improves with time
Freshly harvested peanuts must be dried and roasted to reveal their full flavor.
