Gigantic beans

franmeerkat · « **on:** May 17, 2008, 16:08 »

Earlier this week, I had a lovely Greek salad made with those huge Greek beans (called Gigantes, I think) and I thought it would be great to grow them. I've tried Googling them without much luck - does anyone have an idea about what they're actually called and how I can get hold of seed in this country?

gobs · « **Reply #1 on:** May 17, 2008, 19:25 »

They are a variety of climbing bean, I guess you would struggle a bit to find a seed supplier here, anyway, I don't know of any, but there is no reason why you couldn't sow the dried beans offered for cooking in specialised food shops.

mabel · « **Reply #2 on:** May 17, 2008, 20:57 »

If you like I'll have a look in the local shop on Monday. I know they sell all sorts of dried beans for cooking and if they have these I could send you some. there are very few shops that sell seeds here but like Gobs says you should be able to grow them from the dried beans. Personally I dont like them, they remind me too much of butterbeans and I hated them at school dinners.

Hawthorne · « **Reply #3 on:** May 17, 2008, 21:27 »

They are Gigantes, or Elephant Beans.

I found somewhere that sells a large pack for cooking at This site (no affiliation), and their latin name is Fassolia Gigantes.

I've tried them but didn't like them, but I'm so tempted to grow some to wow the kids!

franmeerkat · « **Reply #4 on:** May 17, 2008, 21:29 »

Many thanks, guys.
Mabel - thank you so much! More than happy to refund any costs incurred!

mabel · « **Reply #5 on:** May 17, 2008, 21:39 »

I will look on Monday (no shops open here on Sunday - that took some getting used to I can tell you!) and If I find any I'll p.m. you. dont worry about the cost as we are on euros, maybe send me some different tomato seeds or something. Let you know monday.

franmeerkat · « **Reply #6 on:** May 18, 2008, 07:55 »

Thank you, Mabel! I've got quite a few tom seeds here, so can offer you a good selection

mabel · « **Reply #7 on:** May 19, 2008, 10:52 »

Got your beans Franmeercat. Let me know how many you want. I've bought a pack of half a kilo (actually weighs 1.5lb) but it will cost a fortune to send all of them (apart from the fact I'm sure you haven't got space). Just weighed some and 30 beans weigh approx 4 ounces or 60 beans at around 9 ounces which shouldn't cost too much to post.

Hawthorne, if you want a few to plant for the kids p.m. me your address and I can send you some.

franmeerkat · « **Reply #8 on:** May 21, 2008, 08:52 »

Ooooh - thank you, Mabel! Will pm you.

franmeerkat · « **Reply #9 on:** May 27, 2008, 20:00 »

The gigantic beans have arrived in Tottenham

Barbara - thank you so much. I hope your tom seeds are with you soon. Will start a few off by a soaking overnight before planting.

mabel · « **Reply #10 on:** May 27, 2008, 20:10 »

Great, that didn't take long. Hope you have some success with them. keep us informed. - Still dont like them

franmeerkat · « **Reply #11 on:** May 27, 2008, 20:15 »

Will do!

Giving them a soak tonight to coax them into action.

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