crossing runner beans.

[jase]

hello,

I have been reading about crossing where runner beans are concerned.My neighbours either side of me both grow runners,and wanted to know what crossing is,how it can effect both mine and my neighbours beans where seed collecting for the following years is concerned.

If my beans get crossed does that mean the following years crop will be crossed with my neighbours,and if so what are the draw backs to this.

thanks,

jase.

[Flummery]

Yes it's more than likely your beans and your neighbours' will cross. This won't affect the eating quality of this year's crop but will affect any seeds you save. You will not get a pure breeding variety. However, you are still likely to get edible beans! If you are fond of a particular type I'd buy fresh. If you're up for a gamble, save seed.

[Alison]

When I was a kid we always saved seed despite them being crossed with neighbours in the same way as you describe. To be honest I never noticed much difference, they always looked basically the same and tasted the same but I don't really find runners vary THAT much. If you're not sure how it will pan out you can always grow some saved and some new next year so even in you don't like the cross breeds you'll still have some left.

[jase]

thanks both,

I just wanted to make sure my general understanding of crossing with runner beans was ok.I am not really concerned if they do cross and am quite sure next door dont either aslong as we get a good crop.I could see problems if a grower wanted to develop a certain strain without the possiblilty of being crossed with near crops of runner beans.The only solution would for both to grow the same strain ?.

it would be interesting to see if i can spot any difference in next years crop if crossing has occurred.

[Flummery]

Experimental gardening! I'm always up for that!