Broad bean seeds - what variety?

[veggiechicken]

Have found a big bag of broad bean seeds in the shed - bought at the allotment shop in October 2004 I'll test some for germination before chucking them.
My question is - what is the commonest variety to be sold in allotment shops? Is it Aquadulce? Just so that I know what to expect if they're still viable!!
There were a lot of squash and pumpkin seeds too but they're labelled - a miracle

[alldigging]

Aquadulce or maybe Bunyards Exhibition... (Which I now have a packet of due to buying a certain garden magazine for my recent train journey to London!)

[veggiechicken]

Thanks alldigging! I have the Bunyards ones too - from the same source

[Leeds_lad]

From what I have seen, it's either the one you mentioned or masterpiece green longpod, Both are very, very common !

[veggiechicken]

Thanks Leeds lad!
A choice of three so far Ah well, I guess any broad bean is still a broad bean at the end of the day!!

[lottie dolly]

Put a few to germinate,then take it from there,if they grow on,pot em up,putting into a light place,and take them with you when on your jaunts to and froe,or some in each place,if youonly grow 1 on,just to see what it's like,if they grow,you can at least say if they the first 2,or the long pod,but word of advice,don't put near your pet slugs and banded ones,or your still not know,

just had a thoaught,if the shop concerned still around,go ask,also,would time of the year be any help,that is you got them,

[veggiechicken]

Thanks Lottie. I bought them in October 2004 so I guess they are overwintering ones. The allotment shop sold them from a big sack and 8 years is a long time for them to remember!! I have some soaking at the moment, to see if they are still viable. If they are, they'll be in the ground whether or not its the wrong time of year!

[Florence Fennel]

If your 2004 seeds prove to be viable VC, sow a Bunyard and an Aquadulce alongside to compare? I've got some Aquadulce I think, if you need them.

[Jeanied]

I bet they are Aquadulce - that seems to be the most common one for autumn sowing. Just check them for holes though, as those pesky beetles get everywhere.

ETA I wouldn't sow them too early though, mine went in later this year and came through the winter really well. The previous year they were put in earlier and were too tall to stand the winter weather. I wait now until October at least.

[veggiechicken]

Good idea Flo! I think I have some Aquadulce in my seed stash at the other place
I'm embarrassed by the number of seeds I have - and they keep appearing! So far I've found Crimson Flowered, Red Bristow, Martock and Bunyards and yet another tub of unidentified ones that I've saved but most of the name has worn away - probably Bunyards!
Think I must sow more of them this year

[Florence Fennel]

As Jeanie suggests VC, I'd wait until a little later in the year to sow them. I just chucked some in last October/November time because they were loose in the bottom of my seed box and it's the best I've ever grown. Bet I can't do that again.

[veggiechicken]

Thanks Jeanie and Flo. Yes I'll wait until later
The best ones I ever grew were a load of old selfsaved seeds that I threw amongst the raspberries, thinking they would make useful ground cover over winter or the chooks could eat them. They were fantastic - may even do that again this year with some of these old seeds.

[Florence Fennel]

Strange how sometimes the carefully sown and nurtured is surpassed by the careless chuck-em-in-and-see-what-grows attitude

[bearded bloke]

Think the two most common over-winter varieties are Aquadulce & The Sutton (favoured by some due to its reduced hieght & the consequent reduction in wind damaged plants)

[veggiechicken]

Its Nature's way of growing too - so it ought to work for us