Picture posting is enabled for all :)
I was given some of these in a swap and they are coming on a real treat. But today I noticed that I have a rogue 1 in amongst them - the others all have white flowers but the rogue one has red ones. Now if I want to save some for next year and swapping what should I do about the rogue plant? Ignore it, hoik it out? Somat else?Thanks1066 :)
I think you got them from me. Last year I grew them on the same poles as scarlet runners, and it never occurred to me that they might cross. All the beans I sent out were purest white, so impossible to know they contained hidden genes!It seems to me that if you do save their seed, all you are going to get is a reversion to ordinary runner beans (yes, I know the Mendelian proportions, but I bet that's what happens).None of mine have red flowers so far.
Galina - I'm not growing any runner beans this year, my nearest neighbour is - her plants are about 15 to 20 foot away. Today I tied some string round the red ones - but now I'm not sure what to do as it sounds like it could be a runner? Thanks 1066
boo hoo hoo hoo hoo :'( :'( :'( I was really hoping to be able to save the seed for swaps (and for me next year)1066 :)
If you grow them ten or twenty yard from other runner beans
Thanks for all the advice. I'm not sure about hand pollinating them, I'll have a look tomorrow and see if I can attempt it. In the meantime I think I'll pull the rogue plant out.How would I go about overwintering a gigandes plant? Would I leave it in situ and cloche it? Or pull it, cut it back and put in a pot?Thanks again for all the info and feedback. As ever lots to learn and loads of helpful advice on here :)
Thanks for all the advice. I'm not sure about hand pollinating them,