Lima Bean

Botanical name : Phaseolus lunatus

Common name : Lima Bean, Madagascar bean, Christmas bean, Butter bean

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Cultivation

Lima beans are frost sensitive. They are perennials but are grown as annuals in colder areas. They prefer long warm growing seasons to set good crops. In cooler areas do not sow too early as they need quite warm soil to germinate.

Growing for seed

Ensure they are appropriately isolated from other varieties of Lima beans as unlike common beans they can be cross-pollinated by insects. Moderate distances such as 30 to 50 metres are enough to reduce the risk of cross pollination for most situations.

As Lima beans can successfully self-pollinate it is possible to grow multiple varieties by using netting or caging to exclude pollinating insects. Individual blossoms can also be bagged to ensure they come true-to-type.

Selection

Traits to look for when selecting plants for seed saving include: flower colour, plant habit, pod size and seed colour. Remove any plants that do not meet the criteria for that variety.

Harvest

Lima beans can be harvested for seed as soon as the pods begin to change colour to brown. Some varieties are prone to splitting while on the plant and should be collected progressively as they ripen before this occurs. Otherwise, if the weather is dry the pods can be left until they are all ready to harvest.

Avoid dry pods being soaked by rain or irrigation if possible, otherwise seeds may go mouldy in the pods.

Processing

Pods are easily processed for seed by breaking them open. Some varieties will self-shell during drying. The pods do have a sharp point so care should be taken during podding to avoid being stabbed.

Storage

After processing, it is a good idea to keep the seed either spread out or in a paper bag in a dry location to ensure that any moisture being held in the seed has a chance to dry off. Lima beans are large seeds and can take a surprisingly long time to dry out fully internally.

There is a fair likelihood that insect pests will have laid their eggs in or on the seed. To stop them in their tracks one of the easiest methods of control is to freeze the seed for a few days. To do this the seed must be absolutely dry first. Seed will also store for longer if it is fully dry. It then must be placed in an airtight container – like a glass jar – before going into the freezer for 48 to 72 hours to kill pests and their eggs.

Seed is best stored in an airtight container where it is dark, cool and dry.

Contributors

Liz Worth, Nellie Pryke