Don Collis pole bean

[ceara]

Does anyone have information about a pole bean named Don Collis?

The seed is large and bright white. I'm growing some out this year to help with seed production for someone. But don't know much about them. Did not find any information online. Either no one knows about this type or doesn't like them.

This is what I was told. When cooked after dried, they resemble and supposedly taste like a hint of boiled new potatoes. Approximately 6 feet tall.

Was hoping some of you may see this listed in your seed books.

[bunkie]

ceara, that sounds like an interesting bean. i googled and only found this link with this bean in a 2009 seeds for trial...

gardenofeatin.wordpress.com/seed-trials-for-2009/

i see val and dan's Guido seed on there...for trial? i'm going to be curious how the germination was. after having none germinate, i tried soaking the rest of the seed in a damp paper towel and two seeds germinated. only one plant is growing now and is getting stronger every day.

[ceara]

Thats my blog. lol

I had lots of troubles with their tomato seeds. The ones that did germinate took forever to get going and then just petered out one day. The other, only 1 germinated total. I think it's still alive. Hubby was taking care of those under the lights in the basement. I have not been down to check them in a week since he's been on tomato duty.

[bluelacedredhead]

Ceara, I found this list which states that it's English.
zipcodezoo.com/Plants/Names/Plants-CN-R-0024.html
Coupled with the fact that it's sold by Salt Spring Seeds, which is largely inhabited by Brits, I'd say that Don Collis Runner Bean was originally from England.

The trail ends there. Even though Dave's Garden has a small mention of this Runner Bean, it does not have any info on the growth habit or description of the plant, other than it may be poisonous if the Raw beans are eaten in any quantity, so cook them first.

[grungy]

Bunkie and Ceara, please remind me in the fall to send you fresh Guido seed. I am going back to the old way of fermenting the seeds and also doing germination testing before offering. So sorry about all your rotten luck with our seeds.
Cheers,
Grungy

[ceara]

Actually I thought it was my fault in transplanting. Don't fret over it! I lost a few other tomatoes also. We are still having crappy weather, much like last year. I couldn't find a place where the tomatoes were happy until we moved them to the basement under lights. Usually in years past we kept them in the south facing sun porch all day long because it can get rather too hot in there for people but great for tomatoes and then bring in when the sun went down.

But this year, like last year, gray gray and more gray with rain and cool temps with high humidity. Hardly any sunny days. Barely a day with 20 C and sun. But my cabbage family plants are happy as can be. *shrugs* This week I should start hardening tomato plants off or we will never see any tomatoes. Oddly enough I have one seedling that's been hanging on and doing well out in the sun porch, even when it's cold out, all night long. What a trooper! If it produces fruit, it's gonna be a keeper I think. I have no idea what kind it is, whether one of the "purple" types or a paste.

Ah so the Collis bean may be English huh? Cool!

Well I planted 25-30 seeds. Didn't count them, just planted! So I'll save as many as I can to pass on. But I also want to eat a few. I hope they do well. Supposed to reach 6-8 feet.

Wish me luck for some good sunny weather!

Thanks for the info! I wish I could find out what year it was first introduced.

[bunkie]

val, not to worry. i'm not sure what was wrong with the Guido. of the three seeds that germinated, two just up and died, only one remains. i babied them all, so not sure what the problem was. only other one that had no germination was the Top Sirloin. all the others did well and the plants are going into the ground and looking very healthy!

sending you sun ceara! looking forward to seeing some pics of the plants when they come up, and how they taste.