Thursday 22nd December 2011
The first red-flowered, self-pollinating runner bean will be available exclusively from Marshalls seeds this spring.
New Firestorm delivers fabulous results, producing a slightly thicker bean that is sweeter and more tender than most runners. This is a real breakthrough – as all other red-flowered runners need even cooler summer nights than white-flowered varieties to achieve good flower setting.
Runner beans are now at an advantage with the introduction of self-pollinating varieties; the decline in bee populations and warmer summers in the UK has recently led to gardeners suffering pollination problems when growing runner beans. With roughly 50% of gardeners insisting on growing red-flowered varieties, Firestorm delivers the perfect solution for a top-flavoured, high-yielding runner bean.
Climate change is having an impact on the yields of runner beans which need cool night temperatures to set flowers. Self-pollinating Firestorm allows gardeners to produce great runner beans without having to experience poor pollination and pod-set, or having to resort to such questionable practices as spraying with cold water in the evening during periods of warmer weather.
Firestorm has delivered impressive results in trials by Marshalls. It follows the launch of white-flowered Moonlight, the first self-pollinating, white-flowered runner bean that has been a tremendous success.
Martin Harvey, MD of Marshalls Seeds said, “We are incredibly excited about bringing Firestorm to our customers. From both taste and ease of growing we believe it will exceed the standards set by our existing self-pollinating runner bean. With both Firestorm and its successful sister, the white-flowered self-pollinating Moonlight, Marshalls has the perfect runner bean choice for everyone.”
