Berlotti Beans - oh dear

Oliveview · « **on:** May 26, 2008, 16:51 »

I read today on my Berlotti Bean packet (there was no picture) that I had to pick the beans young-to encourage more beans to come- so I went and picked my crop (about 40) and chopped them up like you would do runner beans. I´ve just looked at preparing berlotti beans on the internet and it shows white beans!! I´ve picked mine while they are like flat runner beans

:oops:
How big is ´pick while young´? :roll: If only the bean packet had had a picture on! I had it in the back of my mind they were ´beans´ and not pods, if you know what I mean, but reading pick while young threw me! We live and learn every day.
Pamela

DD. · « **Reply #1 on:** May 26, 2008, 17:58 »

According to my research - (T & M catalogue!), Borlotti beans can be picked at any stage, but it is more usual to let them grow on to maturity & use them as dried beans.

I'm by no means expect with them, I was given 6 seed last year which I grew to maturity, gave some away and have planted the remainder this year. I was going to harvest the dried bean, especially as I have stack of green/purple beans!

gobs · « **Reply #2 on:** May 26, 2008, 18:30 »

They can be used at any stage, but not really great for green beans, dry well, but I most like them freshly shelled, for this purpose harvest when the pods are swollen with seeds showing through but still green pods.

Oliveview · « **Reply #3 on:** May 26, 2008, 19:27 »

Fingers crossed I get more beans! These I WILL leave to turn to ´beans´ :oops:
Pamela

wighty · « **Reply #4 on:** May 26, 2008, 20:25 »

We bought borlotti and cannellini beans this year for the first time and have foudn the packets are not very clear on growing methods. We have planted each next to a four foot cane so that we can tie in or it can grow up as it wishes. The packet is more into a recipe for using them than info.

kezlou · « **Reply #5 on:** May 26, 2008, 20:32 »

Hi Oliveview,

Don't know if this any good for its a past link about berlotti beans storing etc.

http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=9059

puravida · « **Reply #6 on:** May 26, 2008, 20:38 »

As far as I gather they are pretty multi purpose in that you can pick then young as you did and eat them like french/runner beans - or you can grow them a little longer and then either cook them up like you would broad beans or else dry them.

Trillium · « **Reply #7 on:** May 26, 2008, 21:56 »

I'm growing them for the first time as well, and plan to freeze the fresh beans rather than the whole pod affair.

I recall Aidy's comments on it:
Grow Borlotti Beans as normal climbing beans, grew them last year and will do again this year, loved them, only thing I doing different is freezing the beans rather than drying as a bag went mouldy. Starting mine off late april, they shot the pole once they were established.

DD. · « **Reply #8 on:** May 27, 2008, 05:31 »

Quote from: "Trillium"

they shot the pole once they were established.

Blooming heck.

Hope I'm growing the non-violent cultivar.

Hopefully I don't resemble a person from Poland, so should be OK in any event.

Aidy · « **Reply #9 on:** May 27, 2008, 09:34 »

:oops: note to self, always proof read before hitting the submit button. Last years was really good, this years are being attacked by some grubby maggot (knicked named Gordon) that have sucked the life out of the plant. I have some more to go in so yesterday moved the poles after cleaning and sprinkled some banned substance around them, will transplant in a week or two. Fingers crossed.

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