Topic: Mystery bean, suggestions please?

[Jayb]

I have one plant growing in a row of Dog beans which is very different from the rest. It is climber and pods are ripening from pale green to a deep rich reddy-black. Seeds ripen in colour from light green through to black. Some of the leaves are huge. I tried a green bean which was quite stringy.

I’m guessing it is one seed I sowed that was crossed although anything is possible. I did wonder if it was a sole germinator that I planted, I’ve looked through the varieties I have for any black bean seeds but none are as large as this one. I don’t seem to have any empty packets it could be from either?

Anyone recognize it? Or is it a hybrid?

Thanks

[Digeroo]

My guess is a rogue.  If it is worthy keep it and call it Jayb otherwise sling its hook.  Some varieties seem to be far more prone to cross polination than others.  There are quite a number of different purple podded varieties but most seem to have beige seeds. 

[chriscross1966]

It does look like the rogue pea-bean I had last year, also black pods adn seeds.... Lost all my planting of it this year but ahve some more to try again next year to see if it's stable (and any good)

Given that until it podded up there was no way to tell it from the other pea beans I think mine might be a melanic sport (ie single point mutation), given that yours also seems to have quite epic vigour (those leaves look about the size of a Giganda's) it's more likely yours is a hybrid outcrossing.... Where the flowers in any way distinguishable (not stunningly common, most bean flowers are just bean flowers)?

chrisc

[Jayb]

Thanks both, ah I can't resist trying to grow something different out!  Glad you still have some of your black podded ones for next year Cc.

I didn't really pay it much attention I'm afraid, other than it was climbing. I just assumed it was a stray leader or two from a nearby climber. Flowers from what I can see are pale/beige kinda of.

I checked the packed the dog beans came from, unfortunately I've just labelled it as Dog bean, Bush drying, Swap 2010. I usually write the donor’s name on a packet, it’s possible this was from a seed swap.