Scarlet Emperor is a very early variety, and attracts long tongued bumble bees. This popular runner bean can be grown on supports or as a ground bean.
A Heritage Seed Variety, Scarlet Emperor’s 1895 packet details read “Silver-gilt Knightian Medal for Collection of Vegetables, including Suttons’ Scarlet Runner Bean. R.H. Society, Oct 24, 1893. For its profuse crop of large tender pods, this is beyond question one of the best types of runner bean. Both in hot and dry, and also in cold and wet seasons, it has yielded remarkable results, and we can recommend it with confidence either for competition or for an edible garden.”
Growing Information
Sow in April under glass or cloches, or outdoors in May and June. Prolific, decorative plants thriving in well cultivated soils containing plenty of humus. Regular watering in dry periods will be amply rewarded by a heavy crop of delicious, tender young beans for table and freezing. (12-16 weeks maturity.) Packet sufficient for a double row of approximately 4.5m (15′).
Sowing Information
Sow in a pots or trays on a windowsill or in a greenhouse using a good quality compost. Cover seeds with 38mm (1 ½”) compost. Germination 7-14 days. Grow on, planting outside or protecting with cloches until frost risk has passed. Alternatively sow direct into warm, moist soil prepared by digging and raking. Erect canes or netting to eventually support plants, sowing one seed per cane or at 15-23cm (6-9″) intervals along the row at a depth of 5cm (2″). Grows best in rich, well-prepared soil. Water well during dry weather and when plants are flowering. Conserve moisture by mulching with manure, straw or a layer of grass clippings. Sowing to cropping: 12-14 week.
