hi,
I have got loads of rummer and broad beans left on my plants. I've read that they can be saved for next years use, but i'm not sure when they should be taken from the plant and how they should be stored. any help would be appreciated
thanks
saving seed/beans for next year
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Primrose
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I wait until the skins on the vines have become brown and knobbly and then pick them and dry them out completely in the airing cupboard. I've found that if they're left in their skins with the slightest amount of moisture left in them, they can still end up rotting. I then store in paper bags or plastic containers in a cool dry place.
As the weather has been rather wet of late, I was wondering whether the vines can be pulled up now and stored in a shed until they go brown?
My vines (and beans) are getting way too wet at present!
Kranser.
My vines (and beans) are getting way too wet at present!
Kranser.
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Primrose
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I've pulled up my French climbing bean vines which finished cropping and dug them into the soil where next year's beans will grow. However, there are a few straggling Runner Beans which I'll leave to run their course. I don't know whether there's any extra benefit to be had from leaving seed beans to dry on the dying vines in a dry place as opposed to stripping the beans off and drying them separately. As I don't have that kind of drying space, I try and demolish and tidy up as I go along.
Hi
I'm leaving my broad beans until the pods go black - they are a bit wet at the moment but there will be a few days to dry them before the end of the month. I just put them in a brown envelope and keep them inside in a cool dry place. Last years saved seed produced excelent results - my mother in law saved her own for at least 20 years and always had good beans. As for the runner beans they are still going strong and it will be a while before the seed will be ready - normally I don't save them.
I'm leaving my broad beans until the pods go black - they are a bit wet at the moment but there will be a few days to dry them before the end of the month. I just put them in a brown envelope and keep them inside in a cool dry place. Last years saved seed produced excelent results - my mother in law saved her own for at least 20 years and always had good beans. As for the runner beans they are still going strong and it will be a while before the seed will be ready - normally I don't save them.
Chris
Chris wrote:As for the runner beans they are still going strong and it will be a while before the seed will be ready - normally I don't save them.
Hi Chris,
I'm hoping to save my runner beans. However, the pods are still green on the vine at the moment, and I'm not sure if the heavy rain will affect their drying ability.
I guess I should leave them on the vine until the pods turn brown and then put then in an envelope/bag as per broad beans.
Thanks,
Kranser.
Hi
Just leave them until the pods are dry and the beans inside have hardened. Don't worry about the rain - wait until a dry spell in a month or so. If the seeds are mature they will store easily and give good results next year. I'll probably save my own this year as well.
Just leave them until the pods are dry and the beans inside have hardened. Don't worry about the rain - wait until a dry spell in a month or so. If the seeds are mature they will store easily and give good results next year. I'll probably save my own this year as well.
Chris