Crimson flowered broad beans

[tiggy]

I bought the seeds from Robinsons near Preston and hope they will be interesting.I also bought Martok seeds which are a really ancient variety. I will have to see if I can grow the Martock over the road in my friends garden as I want to save seed from both and want them to breed true.I found out about these from a brilliant blog called daughter of the soil [cant do links dont know how] Rebsie Fairholm also breeds peas and has some good reviews of heritage vegetables she has grown and some good info on saving seeds.Highly reccomended . Good info on saving tomato seeds

[tiggy]

I have given this an update because the beans are now flowering.In the end I settled for a test crop of Crimsons, Martoks and some Suttons to grow as a comparison.Next year I will grow just my favorite variety at home and lots of others on my share of an allotment.
So far the crimsons show a variation of flower colour and Iam looking forward to my first beans.

[CyberPaddy66]

Sounds great, any chance of some pictures?

[Millymollymandy]

I'm a broad bean virgin so I don't even know what their flowers look like, let alone the colour! Growing them for the first time this year as I've yet to decide whether I like them or not. I thought I ought to try something different each year.

[Broad Bean]

Hiya, my avator is of my crimson flowered broad beans. I save a few seeds every year for the next as they are sooooooo pretty. The normal ones are nice also but just a plain white with black flecks. If you are wanting to save seed you can't grow them close to where any others are growing as they will cross contaminate and for that reason I'm not able to grow them at my allotment and have to make do with a crop from home (thankfully my neighbours don't grow them at all!)

[Cassiepod]

I've got some of these with seed my dad saved. Tthey're still only about 9" high but I have great hopes that they will come to something, they look so sturdy Can't wait for some dcoartive flowers too

[Millymollymandy]

I had a look at my broad beans yesterday and there were some flowers on them! It's exciting when you grow a veggie for the first time to see what happens.

[tiggy]

Im sorry I cant post pictures but the beans are coming on ok.Next year I hope to grow just crimsons at home and save seed from the best plants.I hope a six foot privet hedge will keep them reasonably isolated from next door and I will select for the darkest flower colour.