Lima (Butter) Beans - Advice required.

[greenfingered fiend]

Has anybody had any experience of growing this type of bean? Are the beans readily available to grow? Any preferred varieties? Any special requirements? Are they even suitable for this country/climate?

Basically any advice is welcome.


Thanks loads,
GF.

[greenfingered fiend]

[supersprout]

Yes!
Franchi seeds of italy do a variety called Fagiolo di Spagna - it grows very well as a pole bean in Peterborough, same requirements as climbing French beans, they don't seem at all fussy.
I am experimenting this year with the giant Greek beans (Gigantes) from a Greek supermarket - will see if they can cope with scorchio here ;)

I lhurrrve butter beans :)

[dingerbell]

Supersprout can I please have a contact for your supplier of Gigantes Beans. Such fond memories of a sailing holiday around the Ionian. ThanQ in advance....Dinger

[saddad]

I was lead to believe that they wouldn't produce here, but if you have a result let us know... keen to try them!
8)

[supersprout]

Dinger, pm me your address and I'll pop some gigantes in the post!
I don't know if they'll germinate - have soaked them and am anxiously watching for sprouts (as ever ;)) - but in they will go this weekend. (Later - yay! a sprout!)
Do you want some too saddad? It's gonna be scorchio :)
And let me know how many!

On another note, the Franchi Fagiolo di Spagna is a dead ringer for gigantes, a VERY plump butter bean (not flat like Smedleys). If the gigantes don't work, this is what I'll grow as a substitute. ::)

[saddad]

Thanks for the offer SS but am about to go into the exam marking period for about a month so won't be able to do them justice....
:(

[supersprout]

Will keep you posted saddad :)