Favourite Runner Bean?

**sarahspatch** · 25-03-2008, 06:36 PM

After growing stringy types in the past, I grew 'Lady Di' last year, and they were great - not even stringy when they got quite large! I 'only' grew half a row, as I'm aware people tend to grow far more than they can eat, and that was more than enough for our family of 3, plus plenty for a big batch of runner bean chutney!
Have saved seed for this year.

**Minty** · 25-03-2008, 07:01 PM

Hi, I grew Enorma last year and found them very stringy.
Minty

**smallblueplanet** · 25-03-2008, 07:08 PM

I think you'd be better sticking to some tasty French beans and leaving those stringy ol runners in the packet! Painted Lady are pretty and tasty mind....

**Paulottie** · 25-03-2008, 07:39 PM

Never grow Enorma nowadays Minty- I agree productive and good for longest Runner bean comp.... but texture and flavour very poor.

I grew Celebration last year, a newer variety with pretty pink flowers and superb tender and stringless beans. Highly recomended. Dobies have the seeds if you are looking.

**King Carrot** · 25-03-2008, 08:35 PM

Scarlet Emperor for me - I never let them get over 6-7 inches long though if I can help it and if they do, they go on the compost

KC

**Eyren** · 25-03-2008, 08:49 PM

I grow "Painted Lady" because they are so pretty - just a small wigwam so we don't get a glut

**Paulottie** · 25-03-2008, 08:56 PM

I have found it helpful to plant twice... April and July. Longer season from less younger plants gives a steadier supply of tender beans.

**kirsty b** · 25-03-2008, 09:45 PM

Grew scarlet emperor last year and they were great while little, but when they got large they were stringy and quite tough.
Giving rotblauhelde a try this year.

**sewer rat** · 25-03-2008, 11:30 PM

For those grapes who find that their beans are stringy - change to a "stringless" variety such as Lady Di. And don't let them get too big - eat them young - about 6" maximum.

**Eyren** · 26-03-2008, 03:35 AM

Originally posted by Paulottie View Post

I have found it helpful to plant twice... April and July. Longer season from less younger plants gives a steadier supply of tender beans.

Same here - I start a small number off in pots, then sow extra beans around the wigwam after I plant the first lot out.

**lottie dolly** · 26-03-2008, 06:22 AM

good morning people

last year i grew canadian wonder,a dwarf french bean,was not very impresed with it,it was a very prolific producer yes,only any good if picked when very small,some others down the lottie were only growing them for the beans in the shells to freeze for curries.
maxi was nice, is a pencil pod, again pick before they reach the 6 inch,and they froze well without blanching.
this year i have chosen a climbing french bean ,corona d'ora,and a runner ,butler ,they are supposed to be stringless

,time will tell unless one of you have grown them.

**lainey lou** · 26-03-2008, 08:56 AM

My grandad's been saving his own bean seeds for 60 years and his Dad did before him. He passed a bag full on to me in the autumn so I guess I'll be following in the family tradition. No idea what variety they are but they always taste darn good.

**allotmentlady** · 26-03-2008, 08:59 AM

Scarlet Emperor for me, anyone know of a runner bean i can grow to 2ft long for a competition?

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