In doing a search of members lists, I see there is only one member that has them available for trade. They are a cool bean...I see they are available at several places on line...just might have to order a few myself sometime later. Sue

Well, what can I say, we've had the absolutely worst growing season for most things ( with the exception of weeds) this year. It has been cool, approaching darn right cold some days, and rain, boy have we had rain. The beans are hanging in some are doing better than others. In the greenhouse the Chinese Red Noodle after sitting and sulking have decided to grow, looking pretty good now. The Pretzels are still sulking. Blue Jay planted in containers and left in the greenhouse until today are looking really good, these were the last beans I planted. My Italians, are climbing the netting but haven't seen any flowers yet, the same goes for Insuk Wang Kong. Both these beans have had a fiberglas roof over them so they are somewhat protected, I planted more of the Italians on a tripod in a half barrel, I've given most of my seed supply away in trades so need to replenish my seed stash. Uncle Steve's, I started the seed in the greenhouse and then planted out, looking good, just about to start climbing the netting. The three rice beans I'm growing are all in hanging baskets, they are all starting to form beans, the Ritz Escoffier and Comtesse de Chambord are about neck and neck, so far they look like the same plant, I have one of each of these plants in pots in the greenhouse, planted at the same time, look pretty much the same, the only difference I can see so far is the RE is a little ahead of the CdC. Flowers look the same, as do the beans. The little rice beans are a little more floppy and slower in forming beans than the other two. My little taste test bean patch has varying results, all planted at the same time, of the seven varieties planted Barksdale has been struggling, slugs or? seem to prefer this bean to the others but I will have enough for a taste and hopefully enough seed to plant next year. In all fairness it was planted in the shadiest spot, will give it more sun next year. Bosnian Pole, this is the one the birds kept pulling out the seed, so I started more in the greenhouse to fill the empty spaces, they don't seem to mind our cool wet spring so much they're now climbing the pole. Zelma Zesta, Tennessee Cutshorts, Garafal Oro and Signora della Campagna just sat at the two leaf stage for the longest time but now show signs of doing something. Drum roll please... Oregon Giant is thriving, seems to love this weather, so healthy and will soon be at the top of their pole. It has surpassed all the beans I'm growing, even my Italians which I have grown for 45 years. I swear you could grow this one in mud. So that's how it's going in the cool, lots of rain, cloudy with snipits of sun, just north of the border PNW. Annette

Andy, your beans are still NOT there? They should be. I put them in the PO mailbox last Saturday. Even if they did not pick it up until after the weekend and the holiday (Tuesday), I would think that you still should of had them by now. Although the mail has been messed up here on the East Coast because of all the snow storms. Maybe that is it. I had emailed Sandhill because I never got their catalog yet this year and usually I have an order in to them by now. I did finally get the magazine 2 days ago, but they wrote me back saying that they sent it out all the way on the 7th of January, and that they had other people from the East inquiring about where their magazine was too. So, I hope that is it. Donna, hers was sent out the same day as yours Andy, and she got her seeds, however she is right on the East Coast like me so that could be why. Angelady, did you get yours? yours should of been to you also since it was in a priority mailer box. Well Andy, I would not worry yet. Just please let me know asap when you get them so I do not start to worry! I would think Monday they would have to be there after all of this time? Shucks, I was hoping to see you post that you received them. Also Andy, incase I forgot to write it in your envie, I have some greasy beans coming to me at some point. When they get here, I will be sure to send you some. I was able to find one to put in your envelope though. Christy

I don't know much about them but doubt they'd work here. Popping beans are from the Andes Mtns so our climate would be all wrong for them. Nunas are not adapted to temperate climates like ours. There have been some past discussions on them over in the Bean & Legumes forum, so you might do a search over there for those discussions, or George may remember reading them. I think someone who is gardening in some areas of the Pacific NW, if they live up in the cooler mountain areas, might have a chance with them.