Runner beans sprouting

[horneteer]

A couple of weeks ago I found, stashed away, some runner bean seeds from 1978.

I gave them an overnight soak and planted them in tubs. Despite all those who said that they would not germinate, they have.

If my memory serves me well, they were from a bumper crop which harvested 10 lbs of young and tender beans every day.

Let's hope that they do as well this year.

[sarahturner]

Wow that's fab. let us know how you get on

[horneteer]

Well, they are coming on nicely.

Beans saved from last year's crop did not germinate at all, and from a whole pack of B&Q's best, only 4 germinated, but they are doing well and we've had two meals from them already.

Those 1978 beans all came up, but they still think they are back in the 70's, as they are about 3 weeks behind their newer cousins. We've had a couple of beans from them, and there are masses of flowers & lots of them have set, so will be cropping in earnest by the end of next week.

Here's some photos



1978 beans in 2011. Running about 3 weeks late.





1978 beans in 2011 on left 2010 beans in 2011 on right

[MKG]

What a find!!!!! There's only one thing to do (apart from eat them). Save seed for next year ... and the next one ... etc.

Mike

[Millymollymandy]

They look fantastic! Well done.