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Hi there,
Can anyone help me out here?  I decided this year to try growing some different types of beans and thought about what we actually buy from the supermarket.  One thing we do eat is 'Butter Beans'!  I tried to 'Wiki' it and I have found out that in the US they are called Lima Beans But haven't got a clue where to turn next  :-\ ??? I'm flummoxed! 
Hope someone can help me  :D
Thanks, Donna.

Never grown them myself, but a couple of folks on here have talked last year I think about growing white seeded runner beans and using them - think the varieties were Czar and Desiree. Can't remember who posted though, sorry.

Thanks for that Jennym I will keep my eye open for them if all else fails  ;D

Desiree runner beans are indistinguishable from butter beans. I've millions if you want any.

I will endeavour to have a go too, I am trying all sorts of beans ...

Derek :)

I grew Bianca di Espagna from Seeds of Italy last year.  I had an excellent crop from just 8 plants despite their suffereing a bit in the July drought while I was away.  They are big and fat and tasty and freeze straight from the pod without drying or blanching.

Hi folks,
                Lima beans or Madagascar beans as they are sometimes called  need quite a bit of warmth and are not seen in this country, although a fellow allotmenteer decided try last year with fantastic achievements of foliage but alas not a decent bean in site. There is a white runner bean out there some where that dries quite well. I have a small quantity if you would like some. Email me if you do.
Regards Peter (nenerover)

Could you plant the desiree ones then along with your usual runner beans ie enorma then? or would they cross pollinate?

Thanks for all the ideas, everyone.  I have got some Desiree at the lottie so will give them a go (If the mice have got them, I may well be in touch Djbrenton!)

I'll keep reading this thread for any more ideas  :D

Donna, just noticed your comment. I have recently ordered some seeds from the Us(in mail as we speak) and among them I have bought King of the Garden Giant Lima beans.I have never grown them before and I know they need heat but thought I would have a go. They are very large beans and white. The packet is 40 which I won't use in 1 go , would you like some of them.  I figure if they grow I will have seeds to keep for next year. Happy to send you some if you wish XX Jeannine

Thanks Jeannine!  That would be great if you don't mind.  It could be an interesting trial, I am 'Down South'and I notice you are 'Up North'!  How do I get my address to you?
Donna.

Hi I am new but someone did it yesterday for me. I think it is something to do with the  personal messages thing. you try and I'll try and we will buth learn how !! XX Jeannine

Hi, click on my name and an option will come up for you to send a personal message. XX Jeannine

 ::) O.k I will try that, hopefully you should receive my address soon Jeannine,
Donna :D

I tried germinating some butter beans from the supermarket and they did.
I'll try planting some this year and see how they turn out.

I'm going to plant a load of 'drying' beans, as I like them in stews and curries etc.

I was going to make much the same suggestion as DTW has already tried; I know my grandad has often planted dried peas from the supermarket with great success. 8) (Successful at least in crop; personally I didn't much care for the taste/texture of the peas, but he liked them!  :P )

Anyhow, my other comment would be that last time I used butter beans, I'm sure they were much more wide and flat like broad beans. That said I think you can dry store most types of bean, since that's how they're meant to ripen and survive until germination.

Thanks Dtw, I'm assuming you mean dried Butter beans and not tinned but I never seen them dried in the shops.
I will have to remember to look next time I am in my nearest superstore.  My locals are Morrisons and Aldi, and neither of them sell much when you need it!

I'm definately gonna dry some of the runner beans I end up growing anyway.  What we don't eat, we can sow next year.
Donna.

Donna you could also try a health food store? (If you have one near you that is! :D)
DP

Thanks Dp, dunno why I never thought of that!  ::)  I go in H&B's almost every week to buy the dried fruit/packed lunch nibbles.  I will have a look tomorrow.
Donna.

The runner bean White Emergo is another variety you can use...  The packet I got from Kings says on the back that you can dry the beans and use for butter beans.  Going to try it this year :)

Thanks City Chick, I had got some of those and was growing them anyway.  I now have quite a lot to try, Jeannine is is sending me some of her Lima beans from the U.S., I have the White Emergo and Desiree to plant and I bought a packet of mixed dry beans for stews from Tesco on Saturday.  I will pick out the butter beans and try them too.  Looks like I am going to conduct my very own 'Beans trials'!

Thanks for all your help everyone  ;D
Donna.