Atawallpa's Fingerprint Broad Beans

[jayb]

Atawallpa's have done better than I first thought they were going to, they were quite slow to start flowering some with only a few flower per stem. But the plants branch quite a bit and and started to produce more flowers, they may only have two fat seeds per pod but they end up having quite a lot of them. I've just picked the first few pods for seed, this plant was a good couple of weeks ahead of the others. In fact some were quite late to flower but looking at the plants now they seem to have done alright. The colours in the patterns are still quite pale, they are not noticeable at fresh eating stage, I think they will darken some more as they ripen.

[Galina]

OOOhhh - AAAhhh ! broad beans looking like marble. Which continent do they hail from? Are they vicia faba? How exotic.

[jayb]

Yes vicia faba, I fell in love!
If I remember right they are from Peru.

[Silverleaf]

Wow, aren't they cool?

[ruud]

Whoaw i want some were can i get some seeds

[Galina]

http://www.rareseeds.com/atawallpa-s...int-fava-bean/
Unfortunately they are out of stock at the moment.

There was another seed supplier, Diaspora Seed, who sold this bean under the name of Tarma Spiral, but I think they may have gone out of business - a short search did not find their current website, but there are photos of Tarma Spiral on www from last year.

[jayb]

I saved some seeds which although not grown in totally isolation there should have been enough space to give a good chance they are fairly pure I'm happy to share with you, but the trouble is I can't find where I've put them!!!!
I'm sure they will turn up soon enough, most things do.

[ruud]

oh yes if you can spare some that would be nice,maybe i can grow them for seeds,so i can multiplay them and have stock to swap.If you are looking for something just ask.Have a nice weekend.

[jayb]

I checked through my seed stash and they are not there Which means I've been a numpty again.
If the spares don't turn up I at least have enough seeds to grow them out again next year
Fingers crossed though.

[jayb]

Here's some pictures of them growing.

Young plants just before transplanting



Buds



Flowers are white and black



The plants end up being fairly bushy with stems from the base and flowering seems to be extended.

[Galina]

Don't think I've seen this red stem colour before.

[jayb]

I'm not sure if I have, but it seems familiar?

[jayb]

After a somewhat slow start they ended up with a fair set of beans, though many were just 2 beans to the pod.

[Galina]

They are quite high producing - pleasing to see that they 'travel' without daylength issues, unlike other varieties. They are certainly very pretty. Hope you find your seeds.

[ruud]

jayb can i borrow one of your pictures were you show the broad beans?

[jayb]

Yes please do.

[ruud]

okee thanks jayb.How are you i hope fine.I use the picture to get me some seeds.I really want some for this year.

[jayb]

I'm getting there thanks.
Ruud have you had any luck finding some seeds? I've not seen any advertised I was hoping to find some different coloured ones. I'm sorry with all that's been happening I'd forgotten to search for these, I'm sure they will be found - when is more difficult, I remember putting them to dry and then....!!!!

I have a few seeds of a very similar type, though not quite so pretty, there may be enough to share if I can't find Atawallpa's Fingerprint. These others are called Stone Ear