skip to main content

Beans, Peas & Legumes

Runner Beans - red flower/white-with-spots bean?

14 years ago

I have been growing scarlet runners for a few years, and I'd occasionally get some "sports" in color, but I really liked a white (cream?) with brown flecks that showed up a few years ago. So after all these years, I have decided to try to plant them back and see if I can get a consistent color and flower combination.

Last year I had one particular red-flowered vine on which about half the beans were the white-with-flecks, and this year I definitely have (so far?) one vine with EXCLUSIVELY white-with-flecks. The beans are also MUCH larger than my regular scarlet runners.

Has anyone else already developed that "land race", I think it's called? If so, I would like to know if any are available. It would save me the time and trouble, and then I would have more beans to plant back and try to maintain the "purity" of the strain. So far this season I have 30 of these seeds for next year, and am hoping for more.

Also (VERY important question) I have heard that you can dig up the roots to overwinter and replant in the spring, but need specifics instructions, as I would like to see if I can keep at least this plant going.

In some other posts I saw some people trying to breed for purple-with-flecks beans on red-flowered plants. I get some of those too, but my garden is too small to avoid crossing, so I am trying to limit the colors I grow for next year, nevertheless I would love to know if anyone has purified such a strain yet.

Sort by:Oldest

Comment (1)

zeedman Zone 5 Wisconsin
14 years ago
It sounds like some of your neighbors have been growing runner beans. The flowers are very attractive to bees, which will cross-pollinate them from a great distance. Your "sports" are most likely crosses.

There are many white flowered / white-seeded runner beans, such as "Emergo", "Pole Cannelini", "Bond's Orcas Lima", and "Jacks Bean".

"Painted Lady" has bi-colored flowers, and white & brown seeds. "Tocomares Chocolate" also has bi-colored flowers, with seeds that are all brown, or brown & white. You can see a photo of "Tucomares Chocolate" blossoms in the Pole Bean Spacing thread on this forum.

Chances are that one or more of these has crossed with your runner beans, especially if you grew one of them in the past. My guess would be "Painted Lady", since it is fairly popular. Seed Savers Exchange offers it.
Related Discussions
some kind of 'bean' vine, red flowers
Q
Comments (6)
Yes, scarlet runner bean. I didn't know they were edible, but the vine itself and the pretty red flower makes is a very nice plant to have. there are tons of pods left on the vine, if someone wants some. I assume they will grow from these seed pods. email me if interested.
...See More
Scarlet Runner Beans in Front Yard
Q
Comments (3)
I guess my reply would depend upon the definition of "partial shade". Would the plants get a few hours of full sun, or would there be dappled shade (as from a tree overhead) at all times? One of my gardens gets 6-8 hours of full sun (depending upon daylength) and is shaded by tall trees in morning & late afternoon. The runner beans there blossomed heavily. I suspect they would do as well in light shade. Since they enjoy cool conditions, they may even bloom in heavier shade; but the beauty would be lost. If your roof has an overhang, consider training the vines to strings running down from the edge, tied to stakes below. Many runner beans will take as much string as you give them. And don't forget that you have more than one color option... you might try "Painted Lady" or "Sunset Runner" (and/or a white-flowered variety) in addition to the more common all-scarlet.
...See More
Runner Beans
Q
Comments (5)
I'm having a bit of trouble with your beans/pods terminology. I assume you are growing the runner beans for "shelling beans" to extract the seeds, or "beans", rather than using the runner beans as string beans, and eating the whole pod, seeds and all, fresh or cooked. For shelling beans, once the seed beans have swollen inside the pod, deforming the pod to the point where it splits open, the seed beans can be removed and then dried or cooked. If you shake the vines and can get a few seed beans to fall on the ground, it is time to harvest the whole crop of mature pods. For string beans, harvest when immature before the seeds swell. The huge beans/no pods thing is probably just the variable nature of this runner bean's self-pollinating capability. I would think the seeds would better for fresh eating when of a decent size but still immature. -------------- We've never had tomato plants do that here, I don't know what the problem is.
...See More
NEW: Beans, Beans, Beans Swap
Q
Comments (73)
I am truly THRILLED with my package selection! Thanks so very much for hosting and taking such care choosing varieties for everyone. You did a fantastic job! :) (I need to move near Gary tho... wow, I would love to see that sort of harvest going on! ) :)) ~Wendy
...See More

Related Stories

SUMMER FRUITS AND VEGETABLES Summer Crops: How to Grow Beans

By Marianne Lipanovich

Grow your own beans for amazing variety and healthy, convenient produce all summer

GARDENING GUIDES 8 Native Flowers to Brighten Shady Garden Spots

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

These self-spreading plants from around the country will create a low-maintenance splash from spring to fall

GARDENING GUIDES 8 Flowers That Hummingbirds Adore

To draw those mesmerizing little birds to your garden or doorstep, plant these flowers that are attractive in more ways than one

KITCHEN DESIGN 12 Items Worth a Spot on Your Kitchen Counter

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

Keep these useful tools and accessories out in the open to maintain high function without spoiling the view

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Easy Edibles for First-Time Gardeners

By Marianne Lipanovich

Focus on these beginner-friendly vegetables, herbs, beans and salad greens to start a home farm with little fuss

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES Great Design Plant: Red Bird-of-Paradise Soars With Color

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Fiery bursts of red-orange flowers bring hot summer gardens to life, while this shrub's drought tolerance keeps the living easy

GARDENING GUIDES Attract Hummingbirds and Bees With These Beautiful Summer Flowers

By Annie Thornton

Roll out a welcome mat for pollinators to keep your landscape in balance and thriving

DECORATING GUIDES From Queasy Colors to Killer Tables: Your Worst Decorating Mistakes

Houzzers spill the beans about buying blunders, painting problems and DIY disasters

DECORATING GUIDES Rebel Colors Spark Fall Flower Arrangements

It's a fall-decor revolution! Purples, pinks and more are taking a stand with traditional autumn colors for unexpected arrangements

EXTERIOR COLOR Exterior Color of the Week: Rich, Fall-Friendly Reds

By Jennifer Ott Design

Look to the crimsons and burgundies of turning autumn leaves for a deep, captivating home color

More Discussions

A substitute for "Etna" shell bean

0

Appalachian heirloom beans

0