Broad Beans Cross Pollination

[Kimbo]

Is it possible for two different types of broad bean to cross pollinate, I am growing sutton (dwarf) and masterpiece longpod. Just wanted to know so I can put them in their final positions and plan the rest of my veggies in pots

[Lesley Jay]

I always grow two different varieties next to each other and never have any problems. However I did read that you can't save the beans to plant the following year because of cross pollination. That is assuming that they are not F1 varieties.

[Kimbo]

I always grow two different varieties next to each other and never have any problems. However I did read that you can't save the beans to plant the following year because of cross pollination. That is assuming that they are not F1 varieties.

any idea about peas?

[nick the grief]

Peas will notbe the same. There is nothimg to stop you growing them next to one another, it's just that the seed will not be true. This doesn't mean that they won't be any good of course. I guess a lot of the heritage peas & beans ar in this situation. they started out as a couple of varieties that cross pollenated & the gardner saved the seed year after year till they became a "new" variety.

You can save f1 seed but the chances are it won't have the vigure & it won't resemble the parentsm it may however be just as good but thats the chance you take.

[Jaxom]

Nick that is interesting as I currently have two types of peas in the garden. Klevden Wonder and SugarAnne. I won't need to save any of the seed for next year as I still have some new seed in the fridge.
Ok now for the thick part... can beans and peas cross-pollinate each other?
Jax

[nick the grief]

Good question Jax, I'll say no because if I remember right peas pollenate themselves before the flower opens (like sweet peas) which has just contradicted what I type above !!! I was suffering a nose bleed at the time & trying to eat fish & chips, well thats my excuse