Bean, Other Hungarian Rice Bean, 'Duchesse de Chambord'

Germination

Sow indoors. Sow seeds 2cm deep in 8cm pots of seed compost. Propagate at 12-25°C . Germination takes 7-10 days. Do not exclude light. Once germinated grow on in cooler conditions until frost has passed. Can be left inside a greenhouse until harvest or acclimatise 7-10 days before planting out. Alternatively sow directly outside, from May, into warm soil 2cm deep, spacing 30cm, rows 60cm apart.

Growing

Originally grown in hot-houses. Plants must be staked, prone to falling over after heavy rain. Ideal for growing in a greenhouse year round or for cold frame planting where protection may be offered in bad weather. Water regularly. Mulch around plant in hot weather.

Cultivation

Allow the bean to dry in the pod if saving for seed. Harvest the pods when 8-10cm long. These can be eaten straight from the vine or treated like sugar snap peas. Beans should be ideally cooked.