These were, according to the Guardian:
originally saved from the winter death march of 1838 when 17,000 Cherokees were forced from their lands in Georgia and an estimated 4,000 died.
‘The beans were given to the Seed Savers Exchange in 1977 by the late Dr. John Wyche, whose Cherokee ancestors carried this bean over the trail.’
I like the idea of growing unusual things, plants that you don’t often see. It just feels good for biodiversity reasons, and also the fact that it feels special, that few people have tried them. We purchased a packet from the Real Seed Catalogue, popped them into pots on our windowsill about a month ago, and they’ve shot up in the warm weather. Given they’re in a good state, we decided to get them out in a large pot, with this wicker frame (I’ve been searching for hazel poles, but they’re impossible to find). So far so good – the leaves look particularly healthy, which is encouraging.
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Very interesting indeed – a bean with a back-story, no less. I’ll definitely be keeping tabs on these, mate.
Must have missed this comment! They’re doing solidly – I did think they were being slow, but that’s only really because I’m comparing them to runners, which isn’t really fair. (The runners are just – well, running away with it at the moment. I’ve got about four or five of them tucked about the place and they’ve gone mad!)
Tried these for the first time this year and they did reasonably well. I only planted a few just to see what they are like. Had out first meal with them last night and have to say they were delicious.
Will definitely be growing more next season.
Hi,
Just to let you know that I grew these beans last year and unfortunatley neglected them a little – but they grew really well.
I have saved some seeds for this year, but can you eat the beans fresh from the pod or do you HAVE to dry them first
Thanks
Polly
Hi Polly,
Well, we consumed them as you would a normal climbing / runner bean, in the pod. I’m not actually sure what they taste like dry. I tend to think beans are best eaten within about an hour of them being plucked from the plant!