[Elmarto]

Hello

I grew painted lady runner beans this year. I have saved some seeds and let them dry. I have just shelled them. The ones I saved are a different colour to the ones I planted. Is this normal? 

I shall try them next year, I do have a few original ones as back up.

I have tried to attach a pic, my seed is the larger one

Thank you

[Madame Cholet]

they may have cross pollenated with other varieties near by

[Kleftiwallah]

I also grew Painted Lady 'cos the mamsahib likes the flowers .  My seeds are just the same as yours, don't worry.

Cheers,   Tony.

[Elmarto]

We grew them for the flowers too as I only have a patch in the back yard. They seemed to do well and kept performing right til weather got a bit chilly

I saw callaloo in a seed catalogue for next year so I might try that too to brighten up the garden!

[rowan57]

Cross pollination would not affect this years beans, only next years from this years saved seed.

Beans look normal, some variation is natural.

[Auntiemogs]

I'm sure as they dry out they will shrink and darken. 

[Elmarto]

My neighbour and someone on the back had beans so there's a good chance of cross pollination! Maybe they'll be a super runner bean 

I've put them in an envelope in my seed box in the fridge, I'll keep an eye on them see if they shrink and change colour, I hope so because its £3.65 for a fresh pack of seeds 

[mumofstig]

Don't keep them in the fridge, keep them in a paper bag - to keep them dry