Runner Bean Varieties Wanted
 

I will be planting runner beans in 5 gallon soft containers this season and would like to swap some pepper seeds for some different varieties of beans. Specifically looking for bush or dwarf patio (less than 5' tall) varieties. "Jackpot" "St. George" and "Firestorm" are 3 varieties I would like to try.
PM if interested

Are runner beans different than pole beans?

[QUOTE=JoParrott;727797]Are runner beans different than pole beans?[/QUOTE]

Yes, they are very different. They have different flavors, sizes and growing conditions. Pole beans prefer warm/hot weather, and typically have white, lavender, or pale pink flowers. Runner Beans like cooler weather, have very large pods and beans and usually have red, white, pink or bicolor flowers. I found this picture online that shows typical runner beans and flowers:
( photo is from [url]https://www.dtbrownseeds.co.uk/Peas-Beans/Runner-Bean-Seed_2/Runner-Bean-Red-Flowered-Benchmaster-Seeds.html[/url] )

[QUOTE=MuddyBuckets;727794]I will be planting runner beans in 5 gallon soft containers this season and would like to swap some pepper seeds for some different varieties of beans. Specifically looking for bush or dwarf patio (less than 5' tall) varieties. "Jackpot" "St. George" and "Firestorm" are 3 varieties I would like to try.
PM if interested[/QUOTE]

I wasn't aware they came in dwarf. :love: Thanks for giving me another seed to "need" MuddyBuckets :roll:

Lots of folks around here raise "White Half Runners". This one has excellent flavor and is great for canning. But I don't like having to remove "the strings" that are on both sides of each bean.

The one I grow most of the time is "Blue Lake 274" bush bean. If you buy a can of green beans in the store, chances are real good that it is a Blue Lake. Harvesting lasts about 3 weeks from start of picking time.

They take about 63 days and are really great producers. Most years, I can reach in and grab 6 or more at the same time when "picking" time arrives. They also can be flavored while cooking or reheating. I like salt pork or bacon. Very versatile.

Of course, Blue Lake is a Phaseolus vulgaris, not a runner bean which is a Phaseolus coccineus.

I have grown St George which was the top producer in a big trial that was run at the Royal Horticultural Society garden at Wisley. I can't remember how tall it got, but I don't think it was short. My runner beans are usually way over my head. I grow them up individual bamboo canes which I can then bend down to reach the beans at the top.

I did grow some short runners from Native Seeds Search. They climbed up a bit and then produced a lot of branches. There is a special term for this kind of growth that I forget.

? Half-runners? Can anyone describe for me the growth habit of half runner beans? And are they all varieties of Phaseolus coccineus? And if so, I assume they will require growing in isolation if one wants to save seeds?

Sorry for all the questions, am more experienced in regular old bush beans and pole beans. (and Scarlet Runners, of course!)

I haven't heard the term "half-runner" before. I've just pulled out a number of English vegetable books, but none use that term.

I just googled and they are P vulgaris, not runners at all.

[QUOTE=LDiane;727892]I haven't heard the term "half-runner" before. I've just pulled out a number of English vegetable books, but none use that term.

I just googled and they are P vulgaris, not runners at all.[/QUOTE]

Well, let's see if this link will help.

[URL]https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=White+half+runner+beans&id=6E153EE552AACE6DD710663B719D770A84FBB5AA&FORM=IQFRBA[/URL]

There are pictures of several "half runner" beans in there. I can testify to the fact that most of them do not taste "vulgaris". Cooked with some salt pork, they are quite delicious. :P

[QUOTE=ContainerTed;727896]Well, let's see if this link will help.

[URL]https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=White+half+runner+beans&id=6E153EE552AACE6DD710663B719D770A84FBB5AA&FORM=IQFRBA[/URL]

There are pictures of several "half runner" beans in there. I can testify to the fact that most of them do not taste "vulgaris". Cooked with some salt pork, they are quite delicious. :P[/QUOTE]

Lol, Ted :lol:

[QUOTE=salix;727883]? Half-runners? Can anyone describe for me the growth habit of half runner beans? And are they all varieties of Phaseolus coccineus? And if so, I assume they will require growing in isolation if one wants to save seeds?

Sorry for all the questions, am more experienced in regular old bush beans and pole beans. (and Scarlet Runners, of course!)[/QUOTE]

Salix, to my limited knowledge all the "half-runner" types are P. vulgaris, and growth habit depends on the variety, but all benefit from support. So in that regard they behave more like pole beans, to me. Striped bunch gets to about 4-5' in my garden, but some like Mountaineer Half Runner and NT Half Runner will top 6-7'. It probably also depends on growing conditions and I only speak from my own experience.

Many of these types have been grown in the hills and hollers of the Appalachians for generations, and as Ted points out so eloquently, their rich, beany flavor speaks to their longevity.

If you'd like to try some PM me ;)

[I][I]P. vulgaris[/I] [/I]varieties are much more productive in my gardens in the mid-Atlantic.

[I]P. coccineus[/I] tends to shut down early for me as summer's heat and humidity builds - it is quite popular in the UK in their damp, cooler climate. It might be a good winter crop in the southern US and can perennialize where the ground does not freeze.

It's interesting to hear others' experiences with different varieties in various locations. I've had best luck with the classic Scarlett Runner as well as Insuk's Wang Kong here in PA but both are pretty massive vines when mature.

Bee, thank you very much indeed for all the information and also your kind offer. I have 4 types of 'half-runner' seed in my stash obtained in trades. Actually have grown 2 of them (Black Manitoba and Tuscarora Bread) but in my conditions they seemed to be just rather overgrown bush beans which needed a bit of support. Will try the Pink Half Runner this year with a bit more attention to their growth.

[QUOTE=salix;727940]... they seemed to be just rather overgrown bush beans which needed a bit of support.[/QUOTE]

That's a great description for some half-runners! :)
Here are a few heirloom kinds: [url]http://www.heirlooms.org/store/c13/Half_Runner_Beans.html[/url]

Hope your Pink half-runners do well this season! Here's a pic for you to look forward to:
[url]http://www.holmesseed.com/pink-half-runner/[/url]

and I just found there's one called "Volunteer", developed at the University of Tennessee, so of course I'll be looking for that one, now. :lol:

MuddyBuckets, this place doesn't ship to the US or Canada but they have a plethora of runner bean varieties, including the ones you're interested in. Perhaps you know someone in GB that could arrange an order?

[url]https://www.marshalls-seeds.co.uk/search-results.html?fq=Runner+bean[/url]

I haven't grown any runner beans but wish you luck with growing them in the South! Maybe a little shade under the patio would be good?

One odd thing I just thought of: Why are half-runners the only beans without "beans" in the title?
"The [U]bush beans[/U] are early this year."
"Wow, those are some really nice [U]pole beans[/U]."
"Look at those beautiful [U]runner bean[/U] blossoms!"
"Why are these [U]half-runners[/U] soooo tasty? You would think they'd be vulgaris." ( credit to Ted Maiden ) ;)

[QUOTE=ContainerTed;727820]Lots of folks around here raise "White Half Runners". This one has excellent flavor and is great for canning. But I don't like having to remove "the strings" that are on both sides of each bean.

The one I grow most of the time is "Blue Lake 274" bush bean. If you buy a can of green beans in the store, chances are real good that it is a Blue Lake. Harvesting lasts about 3 weeks from start of picking time.

They take about 63 days and are really great producers. Most years, I can reach in and grab 6 or more at the same time when "picking" time arrives. They also can be flavored while cooking or reheating. I like salt pork or bacon. Very versatile.[/QUOTE]

I thought I'd add an old picture of the year I grew Blue Lake and White Half Runners side by side. This shows Blue Lake on the right and White Half Runners on the Left. Note that the Blue Lakes don't need support

[ATTACH]86143[/ATTACH]

Further down the hill on the left is a row of peas.

Happy eating, Y'all !!

Love the pic, Ted! I grew up in Western North Carolina and grew up eating white half runners. No other green bean was ever considered. LOL They've been in my family for many, many years, and are my favorite. I don't mind the strings because I love the flavor so much. And, yes, they make the best canned bean. I'm branching out tho.....last year trying pink tip greasy. It was very good.

I was raised up in Bristol, and had never heard of "Greasy Beans". Down here just north of Knoxville, my neigbors all asked me to grow them, and I did. My problem with them was that the danged Japanese Beetles insisted on defoliating them. The ones I had were surely a dwarf variety. They only got to about 18 inches tall on average. But, they really loaded up.

I think that there are a lot of places like East Tennessee and Western North Carolina that have "regional" favorites. My brother is like you. There's only one bean to grow and that is the White Half Runners. In the last ten years, I've grown maybe 30 or so different varieties and they all taste good to me. I especially liked the Rattlesnake variety. Turkey Craw and Kentucky Wonder were excellent as well.

Take care neighbor.

I have lots of runner beans, but not the ones you mention.

A U.S. company is selling a mixed packet which might be useful and economical for you.

[url]https://www.adaptiveseeds.com/product/vegetables/beans/runner-beans/runner-bean-british-pop-organic/[/url]

This is their description: Phaseolus coccineus. Mix. 70-90 days.

A genetically diverse population of edible-pod type runner beans from the British Isles. We have loved growing runner beans from across the pond for some time now and with so many good ones in our trials, we decided to let the best coalesce into one big British Pop mix. Our favorites in this crossed- up mix are Tenderstar, Prizewinner, White Emergo, and Polestar. We have selected for vigor, yield, long pods, and a diversity of seed coat color – a rainbow of lavender pastels, black, white, tan, and speckles that are hard to describe. While the long and tender green pods are the main crop for this variety, the fresh shelled and dry beans themselves are also delicious. Since they are more tolerant of cooler weather conditions than common beans, they may grow back as a “perennial vegetable” if the ground doesn’t freeze too deeply in winter.

In general terms...


Phaseolus vulgaris = "common" bean


Phaseolus coccineus = "runner" bean



The confusion is where a common bean can be a (general terms again) "bush", "half runner", or "pole" (with "pole" sometimes called "runner").


I've begun to list beans at the MMMM thread, for the few participants who've been patiently waiting. I've started with "common" "bush" beans.



"Common" beans of "half runner" and "pole" habit will be listed next.

So Gary, is it in fact true that the P. vulgaris varieties are pretty well self-pollinating and that seed saving is straightforward? And that P. coccineum requires insect or hummingbird pollination and must be grown somewhat in isolation for seed saving purposes? (or is this something not true that has been lodged in my brain for too long?)

Salix, a bag of Blue Lake seed costs about 7 bucks at the local Co-op. With that kind of pricing, I can easily afford to buy new seed every year. Takes all the stress out of wondering if the new "seeds" will give the right plants. Some things are just not worth the "stress".

I have one recommendation that I can comfortably give. "Fields" seeds are as good as seeds get and the prices and shipping are great. I've had time to really judge whether or not seed suppliers can deliver the correct stuff. I do not give my approval lightly. Regardless of what we pay, we really want the variety to be the correct one.

Take care and hug your love ones before they aren't there to hug.

[QUOTE=salix;728047] P. coccineum requires insect or hummingbird pollination and must be grown somewhat in isolation for seed saving purposes? [/QUOTE]

I don't isolate them in the garden as I'm just growing for myself so don't mind a bit of hybridization.

I made the mistake one winter of growing some runners in the greenhouse and got no beans from them at all as of course there were no pollinators.

[QUOTE=salix;728047]So Gary, is it in fact true that the P. vulgaris varieties are pretty well self-pollinating and that seed saving is straightforward? And that P. coccineum requires insect or hummingbird pollination and must be grown somewhat in isolation for seed saving purposes? (or is this something not true that has been lodged in my brain for too long?)[/QUOTE]


P. vulgaris are pretty well self-pollinating. I average about 1 in 250 saved seeds crossing (0.4%). Some varieties appear to be more promiscuous than others, with Jeminez being a stand-out.



I have no knowledge, yet, of P. coccineum's requirements for pollination or isolation. Some day, I'll look into it.


Lima beans are known to readily cross. So, I request that participants in the swap trial only one variety, or isolate.



I've yet to explore requirements for soy, yardlong, adzuki, etc...:?:

[QUOTE=ContainerTed;728048]Salix, a bag of Blue Lake seed costs about 7 bucks at the local Co-op. With that kind of pricing, I can easily afford to buy new seed every year. Takes all the stress out of wondering if the new "seeds" will give the right plants. Some things are just not worth the "stress".

I have one recommendation that I can comfortably give. "Fields" seeds are as good as seeds get and the prices and shipping are great. I've had time to really judge whether or not seed suppliers can deliver the correct stuff. I do not give my approval lightly. Regardless of what we pay, we really want the variety to be the correct one.

Take care and hug your love ones before they aren't there to hug.[/QUOTE]



All the money in the world can't buy seed that no one has in stock. With beans, there have been many times where someone has posted this problem somewhere on the web.

[QUOTE=Tormato;728125]All the money in the world can't buy seed that no one has in stock. With beans, there have been many times where someone has posted this problem somewhere on the web.[/QUOTE]

I agree with you. But in the case of Blue Lake 274, even the seed displays at Walmart have my favorite in small quantities.

I always plant enough beans to make two rows about 12-18 apart and with seeds every 3-5 inches in each of the rows. I normally buy a bag of seeds that will give me that ability. I do all my beans, peas, and okra this way and gives me excellent harvest quantities.

Blue Lake 274 shouldn't be a problem to find. I think Kentucky Wonder and Contender are about the only varieties I see even more of.:?:



And, C/pukentender is the only bean variety (out of hundreds) I do not recommend to try.

I've listed most of my collection over at the 2018 Mostly Mystery 'Mater Mailing thread. I don't know if any of the runner beans are short vine varieties.

beans
 

I have quite a few beans for trade.

Interesting discussion.
To my understanding, runner beans do well in the cool PNW, Enland like climate. I planted someo torp their flower, when i was up there. They produce huge pods, as shown in one of the posts above. Pole beaans, also grown as ornamentall. They produce thin small beans.
I am going to grow some bush type garden beans. I think it is some kind of Kentuckfy Blue lake.

Ols post revived.Regular pole beans don't need the bees, runner beans do, oh and they cross easily.


I have 4 types of runner beans growing this year, 3 are supposed to be the new self pollinating ones, so far they are grwoing slower than the other one.