General information and discussion about cultivating beans, peas, peanuts, clover and vetch.
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June 23, 2013 | #1 |
Riding The Crazy Train Again
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: San Marcos, California
Posts: 2,562
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Beans for Seed Colors
Why do seed catalogs tell the color of the beans sold for seed? Does it make some kind of difference or what?
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June 23, 2013 | #2 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Virginia
Posts: 447
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Quote:
Also it could be that people pick seeds on what they look like- ie pretty colors in their mason jars to look at. (guilty!) My grandmother-in-law told me I had the "tough" Kentucky wonder pole beans b/c they were the white seeded ones. She preffered another color. I'm not a seed seller- this is just a guess. Lindsey |
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June 23, 2013 | #3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Virginia Beach
Posts: 2,648
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There are a couple of reasons I can think of. First, dark seeded beans will germinate better in cool soil and light colored beans will germinate better in warm soil. Another reason has to do with canning. Dark seeded varieties can discolor your canning liquid, which doesn't look too appetizing in a glass jar.
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Michele |
June 24, 2013 | #4 |
Riding The Crazy Train Again
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: San Marcos, California
Posts: 2,562
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Thank you both !
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June 25, 2013 | #5 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: MA
Posts: 4,968
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"Pretty colors in their mason jars to look at" is likely the #1 reason. The seed catalogues know how to sell.
#2 is likely that several bean varieties have the same name, but have different colored seed (white, black, tan, etc...). I don't think I've ever read anything in a catalogue about how colored beans germinate better than white beans in cool soil, though I'm well aware of it. Gary |
June 25, 2013 | #6 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Virginia Beach
Posts: 2,648
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Gary, I have not seen that information in a catalog either, but it could be useful information for someone considering buying a certain variety of seed. That's all I meant.
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Michele |
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