Bean Seeds - Shell - Akahana Mame
80-95 days maturity. Phaseolus vulgaris 'Akahana'. Akahana Mame Shelling Bean Seeds. Heirloom, Non-GMO. Warm-season annual. Open-pollinated. This "flower bean" has red flowers and deep maroon colored bean with a black background that wrinkle when dried. Grown as a pole bean, this variety produces pods up to 8" long with 1" long beans. Although they are not as convenient as the bush varieties, pole beans are described as sweeter, bigger, and more abundant with fruits in a much wider harvest window. The gorgeous flowers are a favorite of pollinators though they are self-fertile. Approx 100 seeds / oz.
Bean Seeds - Shell - Akahana Mame
Download Free Vegetable Growing Guide PDF
Other Common Names: Dry Shelling Bean, Red Shell Bean, ingenmame, hanamame (hana mame) and Flower Bean.
How to Grow Akahana Shell Beans
Sow seeds in the late spring or early summer after the last frost in a warm, sunny location. It may be helpful to use a legume root inoculant to encourage faster growth. Keep the soil moist in the early days. As the plants become established, allow the soil to dry lightly between deep waterings. Fertilize as needed throughout the season if the plant beings to look pale. Save space and prepare for a high quality bean harvest by training Akahana Mame to climb vertical supports. After the harvest, leave the roots in the ground to decompose and release nitrogen into the soil for next year’s crops. See page 28 of our free vegetable growing guide for more tips!
Harvesting Akahana Shell Beans
Harvest the beans at 8-10" long when beans start to bulge in the pods and are about 1" in size. To harvest dry beans wait until pods are dry and brown, then break them open to retrieve the beans.
Culinary Tips
Do not consume raw beans in any form, they contain a toxin that needs to be cooked out. Soak the dry beans, discard the water, and then boil them for the best results. When cooked, rinse the beans and then add sugar and salt. Dissolve the sugar by reheating. Toss the mixture with a large spoon to avoid breaking the beans.
Tips From Our Gardeners
“I have been wanting to try a Japanese recipe simply referred to as ‘Hana mame’ which literally means ‘flower bean’. It is a red flower bean simmered with sugar and a tiny bit of salt. This is the perfect bean to try this with!”
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- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer |
Seeds Per Package
- 7 g packet - Approximately 30 Seeds
- 4 oz - Approximately 400 Seeds
- 1 lb - Approximately 1,600 Seeds
- 5 lb - Approximately 8,000 Seeds
Basic Info
| Latin Name: | Phaseolus vulgaris 'Akahana' |
| Akahana Shell Bean Color: | Green pods with maroon (red/purple) beans and red flowers. |
| Akahana Shell Bean Flavor: | Mild and sweet. |
Growing Info
| Days to Maturity: | 80-95 Days |
| Days to Germination: | 6-10 Days |
| Seeding Depth: | 1" |
| Row Spacing: | 9-12" |
| Plant Height: | 6-8’ |
| Growth Habit: | Vining climber. |
| Soil Preference: | Soil should be well draining and moderately fertile with slight acidity |
| Temperature Preference: | 65-85℉ |
Other
| Plant Width: | 8-10" |
| Pests and Disease: | Water the soil directly to avoid moisture on the leaves as this can cause rot and mildew. Watch out for thrips, aphids, and leaf beetles. Proper cultivation practices are the best defense against problems! |