runner seeds

[Sarah-b]

Following on from EJ's runner bean thread, how do I go about saving the runner seeds for next year?
Is it a good idea (can't remember what the variety was - just a packet rom Sainsbury's)?
Should I get them picked before the  first frost?
When is the first frost?
Do they have to be huge seeds to be good?

Thanks,
Sarah.

[Sarah-b]

[tim]

Try this - http://www.hdra.org.uk/todo_now/faqs_topic.php?id=46 - for a start. It also confirms the saving of roots, which I once did. = Tim

[Multiveg]

Tim - was it worth saving the roots?

[Hugh_Jones]

The main disease of runner beans in this country is halo blight, which is seed borne, and results almost invariably from slightly less than perfect collection and storage of seed.  Unless you are satisfied that you are quite sure exactly when to harvest and how to store, it can quite easily lead to severe future disappointment.

[growmore]

Hi,
   I leave mine on plants till the pods turn brown and start to split..
Then I take them off ,shell them and put  them in a tin..I have not bought any runners for quite a few years .I do same with dwarfs,broads and climbing french ..Never had no problems with it .

Dont pull them off too early as you might find beans wont keep and tend to go mouldy..Cheers Jim.