Hi Everyone ....
first of all a belated 'Happy and Healthy New Year'
I am seeking a few seeds of Runner Bean 'Black Magic' to trial, +/- 10 seeds.
Last season I was kindly given some on A4A but unfortunately the seed was not viable.
I have quite a good selection of Tomato and Bean seed for swaps. Some own saved and some season 2008 commercial
thanks
Mikey
You might already have Googled it, but here is the link. Hope it's of some use:
http://daughterofthesoil.blogspot.com/2007/01/heritage-vegetable-review-runner-bean.html (http://daughterofthesoil.blogspot.com/2007/01/heritage-vegetable-review-runner-bean.html)
Haven't had time yet to go through it all but it looks very interesting.
I grew Black Emperor runner beans last year and they did very well. Only have four seeds left and cannot locate any more. They are no longer listed in the Heritage Seed Library.
I like experimenting with old varieties!
Thanks for the name of the black bean Mikey, I must start looking, now that I know the name, I asked on this forum the year before last about the black bean but nobody seemed to know, as I was after a few seeds to start growing them again.
There's also a purple/black bean from real seed company called Cosse Violette http://www.realseeds.co.uk/beans.html not technically black, but v pretty!
if you can hold on a few days i should have black magic seeds on the way to me
lbb
Quote from: petengade on January 19, 2009, 11:20:44
Thanks for the name of the black bean Mikey, I must start looking, now that I know the name, I asked on this forum the year before last about the black bean but nobody seemed to know, as I was after a few seeds to start growing them again.
Quote from: posie on January 19, 2009, 23:44:39
There's also a purple/black bean from real seed company called Cosse Violette http://www.realseeds.co.uk/beans.html not technically black, but v pretty!
Posy and Petengade, thanks for your replies .....
Cosse Violette I have grown for several years, also available from Edwin Tucker & Son (2008 season £1.80 for 200 seeds). A lovely tasting Bean and stringless if picked young. Big advantage for me is that Cosse Violette is a climber (no bending down to harvest) and more Beans per square foot of ground.
Other Runner Beans .... during my search for Black Magic, over recent weeks, I came across 'Wisley Magic' which has RHS AGM and is available from Thompson & Morgan £2.99 for 40 seeds (and no doubt other seedsmen) the write up is full of praise so I might just give them a try this season
Cheers
Mikey
Quote from: robinaber on January 19, 2009, 10:55:16
You might already have Googled it, but here is the link. Hope it's of some use:
http://daughterofthesoil.blogspot.com/2007/01/heritage-vegetable-review-runner-bean.html (http://daughterofthesoil.blogspot.com/2007/01/heritage-vegetable-review-runner-bean.html)
Haven't had time yet to go through it all but it looks very interesting.
I grew Black Emperor runner beans last year and they did very well. Only have four seeds left and cannot locate any more. They are no longer listed in the Heritage Seed Library.
I like experimenting with old varieties!
thanks for the tip, this site did not come up when I Googled ??
Looks good, some interesting info
Cheers
Mikey
I've just spotted this thread, and seen the images of these beans. I got some unknown black beans from an 'old boy' a few years ago. they come true to type in my mixed 25 ft row. If any body wants some seed, feel free to p.m. me! ;)
Have sent you a PM but computer crashed at about the same time, let me know if PM not received, thanks.
Quote from: petengade on January 23, 2009, 12:07:45
Have sent you a PM but computer crashed at about the same time, let me know if PM not received, thanks.
Petengade,
if your posting meant for me ? .... nothing received by PM or email
Mikey
I have some 'Wisley Magic' beans if you want to try a few, grew them last year and had a good crop I've just had a look and the beans are reddy brown, speckled with black. PM me if you would like some. ;D
Quote from: Deb P on January 23, 2009, 15:07:20
I have some 'Wisley Magic' beans if you want to try a few, grew them last year and had a good crop I've just had a look and the beans are reddy brown, speckled with black. PM me if you would like some. ;D
Hi Deb,
that would be great, are these your 'own saved' or the originals ?
what can I send you as a swap ?
I have a good crop of 'Baby' Egyptian Onions coming on in a cold Greenhouse (also known as Walking Onions). These are the type which grow Bulbils at the top of the plant and when the bulbils are mature the stem bends over and plants the Bulbils a few inches away from the main stem/s. Thus the plants move away from the parent year by year, hence 'Walking Onions'
The Babies (and the Adults) are very hardy and I have never lost any either up in Aberdeenshire or here in Lincolnshire.
Apart from the novelty the whole plant can be eaten, we use the early new growth as Spring Onions.
If you would like some, just send me a PM
Regards
Mikey
Just wondering, Mikey, are the Baby Egyptian onions the same as tree onions? I acquired some tree onions from a plant swap last year which are now growing in a plastic greenhouse. They are about 3" high. If these are the same or similar I wonder if you could let me know when I can plant them out in the garden and how far apart they should be?
Many thanks.
Quote from: robinaber on January 23, 2009, 21:22:23
Just wondering, Mikey, are the Baby Egyptian onions the same as tree onions? I acquired some tree onions from a plant swap last year which are now growing in a plastic greenhouse. They are about 3" high. If these are the same or similar I wonder if you could let me know when I can plant them out in the garden and how far apart they should be?
Many thanks.
To the best of my knowledge .... ;D
Egyptian, Walking and Tree Onions are all the same (or very closely related) plant, if this is not correct then hopefully someone will be along soon with the correct information ;D
I leave the 'Parent' plants outdoors all year round with no protection. The main stems go yellow and die-back November/December time but the Bulbs seem to withstand all weathers.
The 'Babies' I grow in a cold Greenhouse, this years batch were planted +/- 30 bulbils to a seed tray, very little watering, just a dampening every couple of weeks.
As Spring creeps in and Greenhouse temperatures start to rise, the bulbils put on a growth spurt, when the new growth is 3 or 4 inches high I then pot them up 3 or 4 plants into a 3 inch pot.
They go out into the open ground end of May (to avoid late Frosts which are quite common here on the Lincolnshire Wolds) and then they are on their own.
hope this helps
Mikey
PS can anyone help me please .....
I 'posted' a message this evening on this thread thinking I was sending a PM, gave my full address, bigb mistake. Anyone know how I can delete this posting ?
Have sent a message to Dan but don't know how often he checks his emails
many thanks
Mikey
Mikey, sent you a pm - should be able to use the modify button to edit your post.
Just did it on this one
Many thanks for the Black Beans Tony,theyarrived today no address inside envelope so I owe you for P&P, they even sent the postman with the white stick to deliver them (size of writing on envelope) ;D thanks again. Pete.
stick a quid in any non - religeous charity box! ;)
I Will do as I really appreciate getting those seeds.
No Problem ;)