Emmalea Ernest, Extension Fruit & Vegetable Specialist; emmalea@udel.edu
A new pole lima bean variety, Greensnake (DP1600203) developed at the University of Delaware is available for testing in 2024. Growers who would like to assist with testing are asked to report yield data for the trial variety and for an adjacent identical row-length of their standard variety.
If you save your own pole lima bean seed, the trial variety should be grown in a different area from your seed production plants. Otherwise outcrossing can occur and your own pole lima strain will not grow true from seed.
A limited amount of seed is available. Each trial participant will receive 10 seeds. If you would like to be considered for the trial, please fill out this online form: https://forms.gle/4dphkHys9mzTUUMg8
About Greensnake
The trial variety, Greensnake produces large green seed. Succulent seeds are slightly smaller than those of Dr. Martin and slightly larger than those of Big Mama. Greensnake produced higher yields than Dr. Martin and Big Mama in trials conducted in 2021 and 2022. Yields were higher than Dr. Martin in 2023; Big Mama was not included in last year’s trial. The pods of Greensnake are narrower than those of Dr. Martin and the weight of seed obtained per weight and volume of pods is higher for Greensnake – in other words, you get more beans out of a 5/8 bushel basket of Greensnake pods.
