2022 Little Easy Bean Network - We Are Beans Without Borders

[meadow]

Got me a jazzy new bean, 'Cerise au Japon'. Round, shiny and red. I'm just hoping when it actually arrives in the mail it won't look like True Red Cranberry..........which I don't need more of. But I did see this bean listed on 1 European seed site so it could be totally different.

Oh, wow, that is gorgeous!!

Funny, the search hit took me to PEI Seed Alliance and the second bean on the page is Bluejay! @Bluejay77

 

[meadow]

Rio Zape will be mine at last!!

As most of you probably know, ad nauseam, I was hoping to purchase a selection of beans to sample from Rancho Gordo. I'd never purchased from them before and some of the beans were backordered (Rio Zape, Eye of the Goat, and Good Mother Stallard). Well, the 2021 crop of Rio Zape has FINALLY been released for sale!

We grew Good Mother Stallard a couple of years ago and I wasn't that impressed with the flavor -- all other qualities were excellent. We used the last of it recently and enjoyed it in that dish (I think I posted the recipe upthread). It's such a pretty bean, and prolific, so it is being given another chance in my bean trials. But considering all of the hype surrounding RG's strain, I'd really like to see if there is any difference in flavor when it is cooked plainly.

 

[Jack Holloway]

Rio Zape will be mine at last!!

As most of you probably know, ad nauseam, I was hoping to purchase a selection of beans to sample from Rancho Gordo. I'd never purchased from them before and some of the beans were backordered (Rio Zape, Eye of the Goat, and Good Mother Stallard). Well, the 2021 crop of Rio Zape has FINALLY been released for sale!

We grew Good Mother Stallard a couple of years ago and I wasn't that impressed with the flavor -- all other qualities were excellent. We used the last of it recently and enjoyed it in that dish (I think I posted the recipe upthread). It's such a pretty bean, and prolific, so it is being given another chance in my bean trials. But considering all of the hype surrounding RG's strain, I'd really like to see if there is any difference in flavor when it is cooked plainly.

Thank you @meadow for the heads up. I just placed an order.

 

[meadow]

I just noticed this new Rancho Gordo bean from your neck of the woods, @Jack Holloway. Have you heard of it before?

Whipple Bean

This delicious bean comes with a lot of mystery! We know they've adapted beautifully to the Willamette Valley in Oregon but the question is whether they were brought by pioneers in the 19th century or by an associate of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr in the 1970s. The only references seem to be from seed companies telling one or the other story.

They look very similar to the classic Cargamanto bean from Colombia and they are likely related to the Spanish Tolosana bean from the Basque region.

Whatever their story, they have quickly become one of the staff's favorite beans. Because they are mild, they're a great canvas for however you want to prepare them. They make an excellent, but somewhat untraditional, refried bean.

 

[Zeedman]

Got me a jazzy new bean, 'Cerise au Japon'. Round, shiny and red. I'm just hoping when it actually arrives in the mail it won't look like True Red Cranberry..........which I don't need more of. But I did see this bean listed on 1 European seed site so it could be totally different.

Some years back, I grew a cranberry-like pole bean from Chile, obtained via the USDA. It was very similar to True Red Cranberry, but the seeds were slightly smaller, and more purplish-red. The yield & quality were good; but the DTM was just a little too long for my area, and I stopped growing it. Looking back, I wish I hadn't given up on that variety. I know more now than I did then, so might get better results... and others with longer seasons (including many here) might have really enjoyed it. My old seed is possibly buried in the SHTF bin; if I find it I'll test the germination.

 

[Jack Holloway]

I just noticed this new Rancho Gordo bean from your neck of the woods, @Jack Holloway. Have you heard of it before?

@meadow No, I haven't, but I ordered some of those too! PM (I'm not going to call it a "conversation"!) me your address, and I'll mail you some when they arrive. Had to order enough to get the free shipping! Ordered:

1. Rio Zape
2. Alubia Blanca
3. Mayocoba
4. Midnight Black
5. Domingo Rojo
6. Cranberry
7. Whipple
8. Flageolet

 

[Ridgerunner]

A while back I mentioned it was about time down here to get some beans started so I was going to test plant in the garden a few to see what happened. All the ones I planted were from segregations I'm trying to stabilize. It was interesting, One specific segregation looks like this today, I planted 5 seeds and here are all five.

I planted another 25 seeds, different segregations. A few didn't do anything but many look something like this today.

There is no difference in the soil, moisture, temperature, anything yet it is really interesting in how much difference each segregation was as far as how soon they sprouted or even if they sprouted. Anyway I planted the rest of what I consider my network beans today and replanted where I needed to.

 

[Zeedman]

A while back I mentioned it was about time down here to get some beans started so I was going to test plant in the garden a few to see what happened. All the ones I planted were from segregations I'm trying to stabilize. It was interesting, One specific segregation looks like this today, I planted 5 seeds and here are all five.
View attachment 47540
I planted another 25 seeds, different segregations. A few didn't do anything but many look something like this today.
View attachment 47539

There is no difference in the soil, moisture, temperature, anything yet it is really interesting in how much difference each segregation was as far as how soon they sprouted or even if they sprouted. Anyway I planted the rest of what I consider my network beans today and replanted where I needed to.

That's a golden opportunity to select for vigor under cool conditions.

 

[Ridgerunner]

That's a golden opportunity to select for vigor under cool conditions.

Vigor for germination maybe. Down here, even with this early a start cool weather vigor while growing isn't really a plus.

 

[meadow]

@meadow No, I haven't, but I ordered some of those too! PM (I'm not going to call it a "conversation"!) me your address, and I'll mail you some when they arrive. Had to order enough to get the free shipping! Ordered:

1. Rio Zape
2. Alubia Blanca
3. Mayocoba
4. Midnight Black
5. Domingo Rojo
6. Cranberry
7. Whipple
8. Flageolet

Thank you for your kind offer, I already have some coming! lol!

That's a great selection! It's fun to sample the beans. Sure, they can be grown and sampled that way too but I've enjoyed my purchases and being able to feast and ponder the possibilities has added a lot of entertainment value this winter. Doesn't take much to make us happy.