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Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: Common_Clay on November 06, 2007, 08:52:51

Title: Saving Bean Seed
Post by: Common_Clay on November 06, 2007, 08:52:51
Some of my beans which I left on the plant to dry never did and yesterday I shelled them when the bean was green and then left the beans on a tray to dry. They are going brown before they're drying, is there a way to stop this? It's a shame, I got about two hundred yesterday that look as though they won't be any good. Thanks!
Title: Re: Saving Bean Seed
Post by: saddad on November 06, 2007, 11:35:29
Saving for seed or to eat? Many pea/bean seeds go brown on drying and are fine for seed next year.
???
Title: Re: Saving Bean Seed
Post by: Rhubarb Thrasher on November 06, 2007, 12:28:14
maybe you're better off eating them now
Title: Re: Saving Bean Seed
Post by: Common_Clay on November 06, 2007, 16:04:12
I was saving them for sowing next year. I'm a bit annoyed, they're White Lady runner beans and very expensive, despite not being F1. Thompson & Morgan sell 40 seeds for £2.99! So, when I'd counted out my 328 seeds I thought I'd done really well!  ;D
Title: Re: Saving Bean Seed
Post by: Rhubarb Thrasher on November 06, 2007, 16:12:00
£24.52!

runner beans do cross very easily tho
Title: Re: Saving Bean Seed
Post by: artichoke on November 06, 2007, 22:58:55
I've been collecting runner bean seeds over the last 2 weeks (inluding gigandes!) and I have assumed that the softish stained ones will not keep. Most of the seeds are shiny and hard, and I am keeping them, after a session on an open tray, in a pot for cooking or sowing next year.

The soft discoloured ones I throw away or cook immediately, depending on my instinct.....

I hate waste.