Hi everyone,
Here in Copenhagen (Denmark), I’ve been growing the Rio Zape bean for the first time. I first tried it at a friend’s place (as a cooked dry bean), and it was by far the best dry bean I have ever tasted. I asked my friend, who served the meal, if she had any dry beans left. Luckily, she did — and I grew 20 plants this summer.
They were planted at the beginning of June. Germination was slooow, and by the end of the month, I’d say only about 70% of the beans had come up. Although they looked a bit sad at first, the plants eventually grew into a jungle!
I had hoped (and read) that it would be an early bush bean, but the reality was very different. The plants definitely needed trellising and were, without competition, the latest to flower of all the beans I’ve grown. I was able to harvest seven fairly mature pods in the beginning of October. As you can imagine, I was a bit sad. The few pods I got weren’t even dried on the plant, so I had to do that indoors — with success, luckily! I have also tested for germination, which was high.
Now to my question: could it be due to day-length sensitivity? And/or is it just a really late variety? Do you think I could adapt it a few generations from now if I keep selecting the pods that actually mature? Or should I just give up on the Rio Zape and enjoy the other dry beans that grow and produce so beautifully here? (The flavor was just amazing!)
Many questions, I know — but I hope some of you will share your knowledge and experiences.
Best wishes!
