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Umbilical Beans

nick615nick615 Posts: 1,487
in Problem solving
The other day I dismantled our Broad bean row and saved the last pods for seed.  Does anyone know whether leaving the seeds attached to the pods via their umbilical ties will be preferable to shelling them right away?

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  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    If the bean seeds are fully ripe  - seems a bit early ? - ( best left on the plant for them to ripen fully before removing them ), and the pods are dry and "crispy", you can then remove the beans and store them in a cool dry place until you want to sow next year.
  • nick615nick615 Posts: 1,487
    +philippasmith2  Many thanks.  Unfortunately it was expedient to get rid of the row entirely.  I therefore saved what I could of those pods remaining, but just wondered how much goodness the seed would derive if left attached to the flesh of the pod, as all peas and beans are.  They're drying out on the bench in the shed for now in the hope I haven't damaged them too much.
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    Unfortunately, once off the plant, the beans won't obtain anything from the pod so it may be that you won't get anything worth saving for next year. Worth a try tho if you think that they are mature enough to dry off and be viable.
    Getting rid of the row entirely - we're all guilty of that at some time or another :D
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