French Bean Cross

[chris]

Sooo..

I seem to have a cross in 1 bean, from a pod where the rest were alright (looks wise). I've kept this pod separate, as well as the rest of the pods from this batch I've picked (as I'm growing these beans solely for seed to re-plant next year + for the seed circle).

It's a Blue & White x Hewitt Cross (No one around me grows fruit and veg, and I'm growing these two varieties in separate gardens)- the markings are of Hewitt, but purple in colour, which looks quite funky.

Has anyone grown out a cross successfully before? How many generations are you looking at for a stable strain?

Quite tempted to plant this sole bean to give it a go.. looks like it's pretty but for all I know it might taste horrible

I have even thought of growing it as a house plant over winter to see if I can get it to flower in a south facing dining room.

[crichmond]

Dont forget that bees can fly upto 3 miles to collect nectar and pollen visiting many plants along the way, so the cross pollination could have come from anywhere within a 3 mile radius.

Cheers Chris

[veggiechicken]

You need a name for your new bean - how about Chris-Cross

[lottie dolly]

You need a name for your new bean - how about Chris-Cross

don't we have a member by that name,not posted for a while

[veggiechicken]

don't we have a member by that name,not posted for a while

Perhaps he's "bean" eaten

[VirginVegGrower]

I am loving Chris-Cross or even Cross-Chris, because his beans got criss-crossed. VC you're priceless!

[veggiechicken]

I am loving Chris-Cross or even Cross-Chris, because his beans got criss-crossed. VC you're priceless!

That's not strictly true VVG, I can be bought - and I give Points

[chris]

Dont forget that bees can fly upto 3 miles to collect nectar and pollen visiting many plants along the way, so the cross pollination could have come from anywhere within a 3 mile radius.

Cheers Chris

Yes, but french beans rarely cross as they're pollinated before the flower opens... which is why it took me by surprise! I know it can happen, just didn't expect it



Name wise, heh, well I thought Hew (as in Hue? - from the colour blue - geddit?!) Blue, or something. Chris-Cross is funny mind

[lottie dolly]

Perhaps he's "bean" eaten

bean and gone
Chris,blue moon,blue supprise,blue special,one on it's own,

last year i had 1 plant out of several cosse violet,different,twas a flatter pod with lumps on,the seed inside was beige with purple marks,the originals were just beige,,i only had 6 seeds of,planted this year,have yet to have a pod worth looking at,to see whats happened,but the outer was still purple,

[veggiechicken]

Name wise, heh, well I thought Hew (as in Hue? - from the colour blue - geddit?!) Blue, or something. Chris-Cross is funny mind

Hew Blue and Barney Magrew? Nah.... has to be Chris-Cross and I want Royalties on the name

[chris]

Well, how about some seeds from teh first gen to grow out for me as well? :P

[veggiechicken]

That's a bit of a risk given my lack of success with anything beany this year

[chris]

I've not had much this year, either....2nd year on the trot. Will be growing this sole bean out (looking for overwintering tips now to see if that is possible) then harvesting seed from it, growing that out to compare.

[veggiechicken]

Good luck with your new "baby"

[chris]

Bleh, don't say that! Mebe #3 en route!