'Emelia's Italian Pole Bean' a.k.a. 'Auntie Vi'

10 years ago

I found out where the Italian pole bean I'd been growing since 1965 came from quite by chance. I was talking to a co-worker of DH's one day out at a local flower show. He asked me what I'd been doing since I was no longer growing and showing dahlias. I told him I'd been bitten by the bean bug and it was all the fault of this Italian pole bean given me by a neighbour back in 65. The only information I had on it was that it came over from Italy in the early 1900s and had been grown in our southend neighbourhood since then. Dh's co-worker said they might be the beans his grandmother brought with her when she immigrated to Canada but wouldn't know for sure until he saw them. When I showed him the beans he confirmed that they were one of the beans his grandmother brought with her. The family no longer had them so I was happy I could give them another start.

His grandmother Mrs. Emelia Fulla brought them with her when she immigrated to Canada from the town of St. Peitro in the provence of Udine in Northern Italy. She and her husband lived on the first block of the same street we do only about a mile or so down the road.
I said I had given them a temporary name because I'd started sharing my seed with others but would like to change it, it didn't matter to him but after some thought I have decided to change the name I gave them to 'Emelia's Italian Pole Bean' in honour of the lady who's bean I have been growing and enjoying all these years.

This is the bean that started the ball rolling for me, in searching for the identity of this bean I ended up with many italian beans some I bought plus all the ones you guys have so kindly shared with me :), we came close with 'Uncle Steve's' but no cigar.
Now I'm hooked, I keep searching out heirloom and interesting sounding beans, some rare some not so rare and, if they won't grow for me I pass them on to someone who can.
I joined Seeds of Diversity a couple of years ago, have sent beans to local seed banks and do my best to help others find beans they might be looking for. (Whisper) I think I have upwards of 175 varieties in my collection now. I admit it I'm a bean addict LOL.

'Emelia's Italian Pole Bean' a.k.a. 'Aunti Vi'

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (13)

dlsm
10 years ago
Hi Annette,

That green bean looks like the Rattlesnake variety. Dry it looks like the Pinto bean. In fact it looks like several different varieties.

I would like to try them if you would part with a few. How do you usually eat them, snap, shelly or dry?

Luther
aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada
Original Author
10 years ago
Luther, they looks like more then several different varieties, one of the crisper drawers in the fridge is full of beans that look similar but no cigar. We only eat them as snap beans, haven't tried them any other way. Email me your addy and I'll see what I can do :).

Annette
Related Discussions
What is your best bean this year?
Q
Comments (24)
The year started with Favas and peas. Windsor favas did much better than last year. The edible pea pods I had got mixed, but we loved the Oregon trail shelling peas. They are supposed to be a climber but seemed bush in our garden. I guess a short pole? We are planting lots more of them (already have!). Next were the runner beans. This year I planted some of the white one, sweet white runners and runner canelinis. They produced enough green snaps to make it again into the pickle jar, and we got two pots of chili out of the seeds. The sweet white runners were inter-planted with chayotes and they are giving us a fall crop! They are full of white flowers so we expect more as the weather cools down a little. The brown runners (red scarlet runners) seem dead, but I know they are dormant and the root it still OK. P. vulgaris were not sufficiently represented this year, will do more next spring. The black valentines did great (bush) and produced a nice crop of green snaps in a hurry. The Lousiana purple pods gave us quite a few beans, they tasted OK but not great, still looking for a good variety of purple. Tried Cherokee wax bush beans and they were OK, not as good as Gold of Bacau, so far still my favorite gold snap. The Fortex failed miserably and did not even give us any beans. Second year in a row, so we are done with Fortex. I tried a few Emerite, got enough for some seed, not many beans. I planted a few late Gold of Bacau, not sure if they will make it before frost. They should, since we rarely get frost before late December. Next year I need to plant a lot more common beans. Tennesee cutshorts sound very appealing, I also want to try my unnamed Catalan beans and the monjetes del ganxet. Oh, how could I forget?! The soissont verts gave us a nice crop and we are still in love with them. Plant even more of them next year. I tried a few soybeans and they did not do well. I suppose I crowded them. We also tried yard long beans, got a few and realized we are not so wild about the flavor, whatever they do to them at Chinese restaurants makes them taste great, can't reproduce it at home though. We also got some pink eye purple hulls, they are moping, limping along and so far have produced one flower and two beans. Next year we will not do cow peas at all and instead try our luck with limas (Gigandes and black jungle butter beans) Full cycle and we are back to favas and peas. Sowed more Windsor, Sansimonia (Italian) and some favas I brought from Spain. Don't ask me the variety name, I will call them Catalan favas. I planted more Oregon trail shelling peas, and got myself a pisoli rampicante from Grow Italian that is a snow pea with the flavor of a sugar snap. Can't wait! I also planted a few chickpeas (forget the variety but it is the one sold by Grow italian) Some have sprouted already. I am only growing a few, just to check out the plant cycle and see what it does and how we like them.
...See More
My Italian Beans 3 pictures.
Q
Comments (26)
Happy, no he didn't give me a name. The funny thing is I've known this fellow for years, he worked at the same mill as my DH. He specializes in Dahlia, Glads and Chrysanthemums, the subject of beans has never come up. I was at a local plant sale and several people were wanting to talk to him so didn't want to hold him up. If I've got the story right his grandfather came here in 1908, his wife and aunt followed in 1911 bringing these beans with them. His grandparents lived on the same street as I do now only in the first block, I'm in the last block, same street about a mile and a half away down the road. This italian bean was passed around the neighborhood and finally in 1965 a neighbor gave them to me. I've got my fingers crossed, as soon as mine are ready to pick I'll take him some of the beans plus some seed hopefully confirming it is the same bean. when I was given the seed in 65 I was told they came here in or around 1910 the rest of the story that was told me I think was incorrect if this is the same bean. If they are the same I'll resurrect this thread when or if I have more information. Annette
...See More
My Italian Beans (Auntie VI) Part 2
Q
Comments (7)
Dick you just might have nailed it, if they had mutated most likely there would have been just a few changing color, not all of them. I grew these beans within 10 feet of each other isolated from the rest of my garden so there is not much chance of them crossing with anything else, the violet colored ones were grown in a half barrel up against the side of our house so would have been in a sightly warmer spot. In all the time I've grown this bean I've never seen such a variation in color before they have always looked the same, reddish on beige. I'll almost be disappointed if they revert back to their original color, the spots and swirls were really pretty, electric violet when first shelled darkening some when completely dry. I should add the pods on both these plantings were identical no changes there. This little area in my garden is quite protected and is where I grow beans I want to save the most seed from. Next year I was going to grow Tennessee Cutshorts here but think I'll grow these ones here again and see what they do. Annette
...See More
2014 Bean Patch
Q
Comments (18)
After much juggling, here is the final list. Those being started in peat pots were started today except for the one trellis of Aunt Jean's that was started about 5/1. The main focus is to find Appalachian full beans that will do well here. The seed colors are recorded as they were used in choosing locations for varieties. For example, two white varieties were not allowed to grow right next to each other. Runner Bean Samos Greek Lima all in pots Bush Beans - none Common Pole Beans Anellino Giallo - not in pots for October use. Black seed. Aunt Jean’s - An early trellis in pots. Late trellis July1 . Maroon/white. Barksdale 1/2 trellis. White seed in half in pots. Borlotto Solista Clay Bank Fall tan seed half in pots. Cummins Greasy Cutshort tan/brown seed half in pots. Dolloff bown seed. Flamingo 1/2 trellis brown seed all in pots. Gallahar (1/2 trellis) for late use white seed. Granny white seed half in pots. Lazy Wife Greasy white seed half in pots. Monte Cristo snap white seed. Second trellis July 1. North Carolina Speckled Long Greasy Cutshort tan/brown seed. All in pots. NT Half Runner white seed half in pots. Red Eye Greasy for early and late snaps. Maroon and white 6 in pots. Snowball Greasy flat white seed half n pots. Square House white seed half in pots. Tennessee Cutshort snap Brown seed all in pots. Tobacco Worm white seed all in pots. Uzice Speckled Wax Black and white half in pots. White Simpson Greasy, White seed half in pots.
...See More
rxkeith
10 years ago
annette,

i try not to look for new beans.

even so, i still end up with several new ones to try each year.
i have to trial one or two dry beans each year now, in order to find some good ones that will grow in my area.
bean varieties is in the dozens. i haven't counted them.
for me it all started with uncle steve.

keith
aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada
Original Author
10 years ago
I hear you Keith, I tried not acquiring any more new to me beans, I've failed miserably LOL.

Luther message received. Right now it's snowing again 6' on the ground and still coming down. I have to get some more bubble envelopes so it might be a couple of days before I get them in the mail. I think I have your email address squirrelled away somewhere, if I can find it I'll email when the beans are on the way.

Annette
dlsm
10 years ago
Annette, we are worlds apart. You are getting snow and my air conditioner is running full force.

Sent you my new email address. Whenever you can get thru the snow.

Luther
aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada
Original Author
10 years ago
Luther, it's about a foot deep now and still snowing. I'll email you when they're in the mail. It's a good job they're on my grow list this year I've given so many away my supply is getting low.

Annette
brightmeadow
10 years ago
Congratulations on finding out the true history of that bean Annette!
As you know, I, too, now have the bean 'bug' and keep collecting and growing and sharing them. They are all so beautiful!

Shirley
midnightsmum (Z4, ON)
9 years ago
Annette - thanks for the id on the beans/ This is the first year I've grown them and I made a wee bit of space. I'll keep you posted as they develop - and at least the beans got you off that nasty fushia addiction ;-)

Nancy.
Deeby
9 years ago
Annette, showing dahlias? Are you familiar with the Edna C.? Edna Comstock, for whom the dahlia was named (and bred by her husband, Paul) was my dear friend. I was her caregiver for the last 4 years of her life.
aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada
Original Author
9 years ago
Deeby, Edna C, a lovely yellow decorative if my memory serves me right, good one for the show bench, won a lot of prizes in my neck of the woods. I did a bit of judging at Dahlia shows back in the day but never went past the candidate stage at Dahlia specialty shows. My favorites were the BB's and Miniatures, especially liked Incurved Cactus. Ornamental Rays was a favorite of mine for basket work, Salmon Rays is almost identical but OR's was just a tad pinker, some couldn't tell them apart but I could. I know oldie's but goodies :).
I ended up taking a general judging course, both flower and veggies just wanting to learn how to exhibit properly. Before I knew it I was roped into judging flower shows up and down the island, did so for many years until the back and legs started giving me trouble. I really enjoyed it while it lasted, especially the fall fairs.

Annette
Deeby
9 years ago
Nice to hear back. The Edna C. is a huge yellow dinner plate dahlia. That's all I knew. Edna was 94 when she died, on November 17, 2006. She was quite famous in the Dahlia Society. You'd have loved her !
cenepk10
9 years ago
What a cool story !!! Great of you to recognize Emelia & keep it going !
aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I think I've found a little more information on this bean, I found an Italian land race named Billo.

The information on this one...
Origin: Cuneo province
Italian Region: Piemont
Consumption form: Dry Seed
Growth Habit: Climbing
Seed Colour: Light brown (Violet)
Type of seed coat pattern: Striped
Seed Shape: Oval
100 seed weight (g): 77

Note: The cultivation of this ecotypes started in the 1950's when seeds
from Lamon (see Veneto regions) were introduced in the Cuneo province.

Emilia's Italian (we use it as a snap bean)

Billo is from the Veneto region in Italy and the Province of Udine (where Emilia's Italian came from) is in the white bit to the right. The cultivation of Billo started in the 1950's whereas the bean I named Emilia's Italian came over to Canada in 1911. Billo is the closest match I could find to my Emelia's so if not the same bean I do think they are related.I think I have finally quenched my curiosity on this one :).

Annette

'Emelia's Italian Pole Bean' a.k.a. 'Auntie Vi'

Comments (13)

dlsm

aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada
Original Author

Related Discussions

rxkeith

aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada
Original Author

dlsm

aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada
Original Author

brightmeadow

midnightsmum (Z4, ON)

Deeby

aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada
Original Author

Deeby

cenepk10

aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

'Emelia's Italian Pole Bean' a.k.a. 'Auntie Vi'

Comments (13)

aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. CanadaOriginal Author

Related Discussions

aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. CanadaOriginal Author

aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. CanadaOriginal Author

aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. CanadaOriginal Author

aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. CanadaOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada
Original Author

aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada
Original Author

aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada
Original Author

aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada
Original Author

aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada
Original Author