[dmhain]

Hi,

I have limited space and have been pondering on the possibility of growing borlotti beand and French climing beans together.  Do you think they would be ok to grow on the same wigwam or would they somehow cross polinate. 

Just to add another dimension could I also grow runner beans together with borlotti and french beans???

Any experiences of trying this would be appreciated.

Cheers

[mumofstig]

you can grow them all together but the can cross pollinate.
That makes no difference if you are growing them to eat - but you wouldn't be able to save seed from them

[sunshineband]

The theory is that the two french bean styles would not cross pollinate and there is an outside chance of runners crossing with them.

Where the runners and french beans are concerned, it would not affect the pod itself that formed, only the beans within which you would eat very immature

Borlotties are often grow for dried beans, so these may (and only a tiny chance) may not be true borlottis in  avery small number of pods.

This is only important if you ae going to keep seeds to grow next year

(OK, so MoS said that in fewer words  )

[Kleftiwallah]

Go for it.   I would suggest you tie the wigwam in the middle to 3/4 of the way up.   The reason is the plants grow taller than the canes and tend to bunch up at the top of the wigwam making bean picking difficult.  

By tieing in the middle the cane tops spread out and so do the bean plants making picking just that little easier.        Cheers,     Tony.

[mattwragg94]

you can grow them all together but the can cross pollinate.
That makes no difference if you are growing them to eat - but you wouldn't be able to save seed from them

i thought it was only broad and runner beans that cross polinated?

[mumofstig]

this thread explains what can happen 
http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=87682.msg972750#msg972750

[sunshineband]

you can grow them all together but the can cross pollinate.
That makes no difference if you are growing them to eat - but you wouldn't be able to save seed from them

i thought it was only broad and runner beans that cross polinated?

These do not cross as far as I know, Matt

[sarajane]

I'm growing french and runner beans for eating and also a greek 'big bean' (a white butter bean type).  I have these for drying so to be on the safe side will be growing them the opposite side ofthe plot or even in the garden.

I'm not taking the chance of cross pollination especially as they are saved seed.

[devonbarmygardener]

I'm growing french and runner beans for eating and also a greek 'big bean' (a white butter bean type).  I have these for drying so to be on the safe side will be growing them the opposite side ofthe plot or even in the garden.

I'm not taking the chance of cross pollination especially as they are saved seed.

Whats the name oof your big greek white bean type and where did you get it please?
I've been after these for ages

Emma

[mumofstig]

I don't think you can get actual Gigantes seed in the UK, they seem to be a protected variety that you can only buy in Greece   I came back from living there a few years ago and tried to find them with no success   

But taste wise, once cooked, the large white butter beans taste the same (to me anyway  )

http://www.seedsofitaly.com/product/269

Your other option would be to buy dried Gigantes from a supermarket and grow those, I don't know if they would work in our climate though.
 

[AnneB]

I successfully grew the runner bean "The Czar" for its dried white beans last year.  They are like a very large haricot bean, just a bit smaller than a butter bean.

[compostqueen]

I tried growing the Gigantes from bought in beans from the deli. I got two bags from the Greek deli and handed one bag to a lotty neighbour and we both had a stab at growing them. Not a thing came up!  

Back to borlottis though. I'd grow them on wigwams with the purple podded Cosse Violette runner beans. They look fab and taste wonderful and I've not had any problems at all

I grow sunflowers in there (Velvet Queen or something similar), sometimes a little pumpkin such as Sweet Mama and some pretty frilly lettuces around the base. Quart in a pint pot but it looks a sight for sore eyes    Plenty of muck required in there at planting time

[mattwragg94]

well i will using garden organics seed saving guidelines this year - heres the link if anyones interested (it ahs a pollination section for each type of veg!):

seed saving guidelines






edit to shorten long link

[devonbarmygardener]

I don't think you can get actual Gigantes seed in the UK, they seem to be a protected variety that you can only buy in Greece   I came back from living there a few years ago and tried to find them with no success   

But taste wise, once cooked, the large white butter beans taste the same (to me anyway  )

http://www.seedsofitaly.com/product/269

Your other option would be to buy dried Gigantes from a supermarket and grow those, I don't know if they would work in our climate though.
 

Thank you very much!!

[sarajane]

I'm growing french and runner beans for eating and also a greek 'big bean' (a white butter bean type).  I have these for drying so to be on the safe side will be growing them the opposite side ofthe plot or even in the garden.

I'm not taking the chance of cross pollination especially as they are saved seed.

Whats the name oof your big greek white bean type and where did you get it please?
I've been after these for ages

Emma

I bought about a kilo of these inCrete 3 years, loose from a veg shop. ago after enjoying them so much in the restaurant.  I don't know what they are called but the assistant assured me they were the ones used for the receipe.

I've grown them the last 2 years.  They will be sown next week and grow like runner beans butmaybe not so prolific.  Possibly due to the fact I don't harvest them until just before the first frosts but from about 8 plants got about 2 kilos of the beans. I'm planning sowing more this year.