2025 Little Easy Bean Network - Growers Of The Future Will Be Glad We Saved

[ruralmamma]

Had an inch of rain yesterday and went out this morning and grabbed any spongy pods before the rain started again. Been leaving the ceiling fan on 24/7 and also have a small fan blowing directly on the pods. Have had a few issues with staining on the beans I brought in before the rains but that was to be expected and actually not as bad as I feared it might be. Rose has dried great considering the pods were really fleshy and unless I find an issue when I do the final sort, I should be able to return seed. Managed to harvest four Rio Zape seeds so far but even if every pod produces perfect seed, there just won't be enough to return.

I did have a happy moment this morning as I shelled a single pod of the black-speckled Ground Squirrel seed that resembles what I planted. Could still be a matter of reverse coloration, but will definitely plant those six seeds next year just to see what happens.

 

[heirloomgal]

Thank you! I have a tendency to make my supports a little too perfect but I love this idea! Also helps if my hubby has a visual too.

I find some varieties climb the metal trellises and fishing line just fine and others need a little help at first. I have two varieties that were so vigorous that they spread to the supports two plants away. The Avalon off-type had no problem climbing and eventually pulling down the tomato plants in the same bed and creeping out and climbing the fence a few feet away.

I don't find they have trouble so much climbing, as it's the yields that don't seem quite the same. But that could be my imagination, and also a variety related thing as well. Some of the vigor you're observing in the Avalon off-type is hybrid vigor, a unique expression that takes place when two separate varieties cross. Some hybrids are wildly productive! They can be quite like ligers.

 

[heirloomgal]

I was bad today and opened a few of the 'Ukrainian' pods. They were dry, but not super crispy dry which is what I was waiting for, but I just couldn't wait anymore to see what they look like. Oooh, I like these. I wondered if they'd be like 'Lilascheke', which I've grown a few times, but no the varieties are definitely not the same. This bean is actually much, much more productive too. It's a bit on the late side, but well worth the wait.