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Fabaceae
Phaseolus vulgaris 'Black Valentine'
Black Valentine Green Bean, Bush Bean, Green Bean
The heirloom bush bean variety, 'Black Valentine', may be eaten as a fresh snap bean or harvested for dry beans. It was introduced in 1897 by Peter Henderson & Company. This prolific plant produces long, green pods with shiny black seeds inside. Begin to harvest green snap bean pods 50 to 55 days after sowing seeds. An ideal pod measures 6 inches (15 centimeters) in length. Or, leave pods on the plant to fully ripen seeds.
Bean leaves are trifoliate (three-leaved), arranged in an alternate fashion on the stem and have somewhat diamond-shaped leaflets. The flowers are typical of peas or beans; larger, rounded petals subtend smaller petals that form a lip or keeled beak. They are produced in loose clusters on short stalks among the foliage, and on 'Black Valentine' they are pink. Modern bean cultivars are self-fertile. If harvested young, the immature bean pods are eaten. If allowed to mature, the dry, hard seeds can be shucked, stored and eaten at a later date, as with black beans or pintos.
Beans originate from tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, so they should be planted after the danger of frost has passed. In cooler temperate regions they are grown as summer crops, and in tropical zones they are planted as fall or winter crops. All should be directly sown in the ground because they transplant only marginally well. Over watering seeds before germination can cause seed rot, so be sure to keep them only moderately moist, never wet. Like many members of the bean family, common beans have a mutually beneficial relationship with Rhizobium bacteria, which allows plants to fix nitrogen into the soil. Seeds and plants often do better if tossed in a commercially available Rhizobium inoculant before planting, but this step is not essential for success. Full sun and rich, friable, evenly moist soil with good drainage is needed for vigorous growth and fruit set.
Bush beans are short, upright plants that can flop on the ground. Short staking may be needed to fend off disease and keep bean pods from rotting when in contact with the soil. 'Black Valentine' performs well even during unusually cool summers. Beans produce usable crops quickly. Harvest them every couple days to extend flower production, subsequent new bean pod development and your garden harvest season.
A1, A2, A3, H1, H2, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Vegetable
Full Sun
14"-20" / 35.6cm - 50.8cm
20"-30" / 50.8cm - 76.2cm
Indeterminate
Central America, South America
Neutral, Alkaline
Well Drained
Loam, Sand
Fast
Average Water
Cushion/Mound-forming
Spring, Summer, Fall
Showy
Pink
Green
Yes
No
Single
Coarse
Matte
Edible, Herb / Vegetable
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