I'd love to know how anyone got on with the gigandes I posted out last year, though I know some failed to germinate (I recommend soaking until a small root appears but didn't say so). The beans I was sent in return are doing brilliantly, especially the Cherokee Trail of Tears. I have a couple of bags of lovely tender beans in the fridge waiting to be eaten, and more growing.
My own gigandes are in a row of their own, 6 metres long and 3 metres tall, and are toughening up nicely for drying out in the autumn.
Unfortunately I have been ill in bed for over a week; my husband kindly went to the allotment to pick raspberries, and "while I was there" picked a mass of gigandes and brought them to me cooked for supper.
I chewed away at these tough stringy things in puzzlement (I haven't grown runner beans this year), before I recognised them as my precious gigandes!
I asked him if he didn't think as he picked them that they were rather short and fat, but no, he thought they were normal runner beans, and he "didn't pick them all".
I am grateful to him for going to the trouble but very sad at the possible loss of a quite a lot of the crop.
How upsetting! I did get one planted out, but like some of my other beans, it just sulked and did nothing.
I got 3 plants from the seeds you sent me artichoke, but though they have grown well and flowered, for some reason they have failed to produce beans :(. I have just one pod which has produced 4 big fat beans and that is all.
Tricia
How mysterious and what a shame. Mine and yours were all from the same bag bought in Greece. I am a bit surprised that in spite of masses of flowers, not that many beans have set, but enough for a respectable bag of edible beans in the end, plus some seed for next year, I think (barring more accidents).
Artichoke i have a massive haul of gigandes they did very well over here.
yes our gigandes have been great. Very good germination, the most vigorous bean and very good yield. People at the plot say - isn't it about time you picked those runners - and I open one and show them the beans, and they are mightily impressed
Oh dear!! The gigantes you sent us are doing well :) We got about 8 plants. They seem to have a good crop of beans. I have also been asked when I am going to pick my runners!
I would LOVE some Gigandes seed, if anyone can spare. I can send an SAE, or swap for some Yin Yang or Tiger bean seeds
Some seedsmen list them, if you google. I am afraid I have recently eaten the last of mine and won't have any more until my row matures and dries out. I exchanged a lot last year and am happy to do it again when the time come, if you revive this thread.
Can't remember the correct spelling at the moment, but they are also listed as Spania blanca.