[Maccbean]

I had a jar of these yesterday in a greek tomatoey sauce and they were gorgeous!  I'd love to grow them, does anyone know if I can, and if so where I can get them from?

[willowman]

Sorry, can't answer your question, but I wanted to say I love those beans.
Always ate them on our holidays in Greece, where they are called "gigantes", and usually eaten as a starter.
Oh, now I want some - in fact I think we have a tin in the cupboard. Must go and look.

[mumofstig]

Yes they are called gigantes
I don't think you can get seed of them here, I think they are a protected variety that you can only buy in Greece  I came back from living there a few years ago now 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

[Stevens706]

Can you not just use white runner beans left to go to seed - just a thought

[Swing Swang]

See if you can get some dried ones from a Greek deli and plant those

[compostqueen]

This is just what I have done. Today I've got a jam jar and half filled it with cooled, boiled water and have put some of the beans in it. As for peas, I'll soak them for 24 hours, strain the water off and leave them to sprout. I'll put the lid back on but loosely.  I'll see if I can get them to sprout. If so, I can then pot them up and hope for the best.

I'll keep you posted

These are the pukka Giant Greek beans which I got from a Greek deli

[mumofstig]

Good luck and I hope we have greek weather this year for you to grow them in
fingers crossed

If you do get a crop let us know and I'll try some myself!

[Maccbean]

Hmmm, looks like I'll be looking for a greek deli then.  Thanks for the tip, I'll give it a try.

[compostqueen]

You might wait and see how I get on   

[Maccbean]

You might wait and see how I get on   

Ah yes of course, just keen that's all. 

[compostqueen]

I'll drain them off tomorrow and see if they'll sprout. Fingers crossed 

[Maccbean]

Any sprouts yet?  I'm keen, I'm keen!

[compostqueen]

No!  They seem to be doing nothing but smelling a bit off    I'm not giving up on them just yet, and will have another go with another lot, maybe this time though I will soak them 24 hours and then place in some potting compost

She who dares 

[Maccbean]

Oooh, I do hope they work at some point, I can't wait to give `em a go!

[sunshineband]

Try the runner bean variety Desiree -- huge great white beans