Thanks for the offer Jim, and the link. The IWK's sound interesting, but for this application, they'd be wasted on me. The only other time I've grown SRB's, was in the mid-80's in the Puget Sound area. It was my first garden and I planted them along a fence in full sun and bad soil, yet they were very productive. I picked them young for 'green beans' and put lots of them in the freezer. This time I'm just wanting some privacy and less afternoon heat on the window...oh, and the chance for our indoor only kitties to watch any hummingbirds that might show up. I picked up a cheapo seed pack at Walmart(Ferry Morse). If those do ok, then maybe next year I'll be looking for something a little more exciting. Thanks again.

I grew Painted Lady Improved from SSE last year. I didn't eat any of them as snaps because at the time I didn't know they were edible. I was growing them as an ornamental on my garden fence. I did decide to try them as dried beans. This recipe works well for them... I soak them overnight, cook them in a pressure cooker for 20 min with water only, no salt. Cook brown rice while the beans are cooking. When all are cooked, I put some rice and beans in a bowl, add ghee( or butter, or Smart Balance), salt, turmeric, ground red pepper, and cumin seeds to taste (a pinch or so of each). I sometimes add chopped fresh or dried tomatoes. Heat in the microwave. Add chopped fresh cilantro and fresh lemon juice to taste. ENJOY!! I keep the beans and rice separate in the frig and mix up a bowl of this whenever I want. Quick, easy, healthy, and DELICIOUS! I use this recipe with any dried beans that hold their shape when cooked.

I don't know if pollinators don't like white flowers or what is going on. ************************************************************************* peas and beans are self pollinating and do not need insects or anything else. I have heard that some varieties get pollinated before fully opening. although, it is possible that insects may cross pollinate them, but otherwise they do not need insects' help. I am also in PNW and have planted several Scarlet Runners. Early on they had very few pods but lately they are growing more. I like their pods at every stage;; as young green and slightly matured shellies. With Shellies you get more bang for the buck. Matured pods are quite long (8" ?) and large and have many large beans.

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.