[shokkyy]

I've left some nice big pods on my still very healthy (and still flowering) White Lady plants. I was intending to leave them there until they dried, to save the seeds. However, with the way the overnight temps are dropping now, are they going to be damaged if we have a bit of frost? I know it's best for them to dry on the plants, but they're nowhere near dry yet and I'm wondering whether the frost will harm them.

[Kleftiwallah]

Grab a handfull (while still on the plant) and pop them into a brown paper bag within a plastic bag, but take the plastic bag off each morning.  That should protect the pods & seeds until dry.

Cheers,    Tony.

[JayG]

I'm in the same boat as you Shokkyy (same variety too!)

The pods don't have to dry completely on the plant - the most important thing is that the seeds inside are sufficiently well developed to be viable next year. Once the fleshy part of the pod has started to dry and shrink and the seeds become clearly visible you can bring them in and dry them (none of mine are harvestable yet, but if you are anything like me you are bound to miss a few so will also have some backups which may do better than you expect.) 

[shokkyy]

Trouble is I made the decision to save them rather late, and the crop was late anyway because of the foul weather earlier in the year. The big pods I'm talking about are well swollen but still quite fleshy, not even thinking about drying.

[Paul Plots]

Trouble is I made the decision to save them rather late, and the crop was late anyway because of the foul weather earlier in the year. The big pods I'm talking about are well swollen but still quite fleshy, not even thinking about drying.

I'd pull some off and leave them somewhere in the dry as a back-up. The rest can then take their chances but watch out that they don't begin to rot where they hang if it continues to be wet.

Mine are still on the plot waiting for me to visit (if I can remember where it is!!  )

[JayG]

Yup, same again (again) Shokkyy!

As ever, one does one's best and then it's down to luck, although I'm not saying I won't be doing my Rumpelstiltskin impression if I have to actually buy some seeds next year! 

[mumofstig]

you could cut the string, or pull them off their canes, and hang them to dry in your shed 

[Gandan57]

Frost will not hurt the seeds at all.

I let mine dry completely on the plant and harvest the pods from now until December when I burn the dead foliage.

[RichardA]

sorry to jump in but can I ask if runners cross fertilise. I have White Lady and Scarlet Emperor close to each other - will seed be true to kind if I save it??
R

[mumofstig]

sorry to jump in but can I ask if runners cross fertilise. I have White Lady and Scarlet Emperor close to each other - will seed be true to kind if I save it??
R

It's unlikely as runners are insect pollinated 

They'll still be edible runner beans though - it just depends how fussy you are 

[Paul Plots]

Frost will not hurt the seeds at all.

I let mine dry completely on the plant and harvest the pods from now until December when I burn the dead foliage.

Frost isn't a problem but too much wet can cause decay.

[mumofstig]

Frost isn't a problem but too much wet can cause decay.

Indeed some of the beans I grew for drying are showing signs of just rotting rather than drying

Even picked and brought inside to dry many are showinf signs of rot. Think I'll have to just pick shell and freeze before they get a chance to rot 

I'll need new seeds to grow next year though 

[Paul Plots]

Even picked and brought inside to dry many are showinf signs of rot. Think I'll have to just pick shell and freeze before they get a chance to rot 

I'll need new seeds to grow next year though 

Let's hope the seed producers are having better luck or the prices will rocket.  But, there again, have they sent out catalogues for next season yet?