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Runner beans or green beans?

esclaescla Posts: 4
in Fruit & veg
I bought these plants on the internet, advertised as Painted Lady runner beans. However, as the pictures show, the flowers are creamy white, the plants haven’t climbed the wigwam and the beans don’t look like runner beans. I think I have been duped!
As an absolute novice, I don’t know whether I should pick these beans now or leave them in case they should grow bigger/longer.  Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Posts

  • herbaceousherbaceous Posts: 2,318
    I don't think waiting will make any difference sadly, they are French beans  :( 
    "The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it."  Sir Terry Pratchett
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    I'd pick them and eat them... 
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • herbaceousherbaceous Posts: 2,318
    Definitely time to pick some and then complain to the seller and/or add a negative review. Only way to find out how many others were sold the wrong beans.
    "The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it."  Sir Terry Pratchett
  • esclaescla Posts: 4
    I feared as much. Thank you for your help.
  • esclaescla Posts: 4
    You’re right, Herbaceous. The most disappointing aspect of this is that I specifically asked the seller for Painted Lady runner beans as my late father always grew them and kept some in the freezer for us to eat with our Christmas dinner. Needless to say, I won’t be recommending this seller to anyone in the future.
    Thank you to everyone for you help and advice.
  • nick615nick615 Posts: 1,487
    Go to your local allotment, escla, and ask if anyone grows that variety.  In a couple of months time they'll be saving their seed for next year, and it'll be an unusual gardener that will deny you a few.  An old chap I knew in the Seventies gave me a handful of the ones he grew, saying 'There y'are!  I've been growing them since 1937'.  I lost them when I had a non-gardening period, but that sort of recommendation guarantees quality and you save your own thereafter.  It's a mystery how seedsmen sell enough to make it worthwhile?
  • esclaescla Posts: 4
    Thank you, nick615. I contacted the seller, who apologised for the error and offered me a free pack of seeds for next year. On the plus side, I picked the green beans for dinner last night and they were really tasty and tender.
  • Loraine3Loraine3 Posts: 579
    I much prefer French Beans and they freeze well.
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