<p>(80 days) A most unique runner bean with stunning red and white flowers that last all season. The juicy pods are up to 25cm (10 in.) long. Painted Lady is a wonderfully ornamental edible for your garden! Pinkish brown seeds with dark streaks. Approx. 20 seeds/oz.</p><p>CULTURE: These plants can be trained up rough poles or branches such as a fir pole with the bark still on. Set 6 seeds at the base of each one. Or build a trellis: stretch 2 wires between 2 stout posts, one wire about 2m (7 ft.) above the ground and one near the ground. Then pass a rough cord (the twining habit is encouraged by the rough texture) from top to bottom, making a 'V' shaped trellis every 20cm (8 in.) along the wire. Sow the seeds mid-May to mid-July, 7-10cm (3-4 in.) apart and 3.5cm (11/2 in.) deep beneath the trellis. Leave 1m (3 ft.) between rows. Grow like bush beans. <p>DISEASE: To avoid most problems, water carefully to avoid wetting the leaves; remove the dead plants completely at the end of the summer; rotate your crops (root crops in this bed last year, potatoes next year). <p>HARVEST: Because pole beans are always climbing, there are always beans at different stages of maturity. It is important to keep picking regularly to increase the yield. <p>SEEDSPEC: Minimum germination standard: 80%. Days to emergence: 8-16 depending on soil warmth. Days to maturity: from planting date. 28g (1 oz.) sows about 6m (17 ft.) of row. Usual seed life: 2 years.</p><p>These beans are of a different botanical family than regular pole beans. They are well suited to the Coastal climate because they prefer cool summer weather; as a matter of fact, they will drop their blossoms if it gets too hot! Fat, slightly fuzzy pods give a richer, beanier flavour than snap beans (P. vulgaris). Unlike snap beans, runner beans require pollination to set seed, usually from the solitary bee. They also prefer more moisture and cool roots all summer. Painted Lady has been in gardens since the early nineteenth century.</p>
