Information on Purple and White Bean Pods

Types

• Bean plants come in two varieties bush and pole; however, some bean are half runners, meaning they have a growth pattern that exhibits both bush and pole plant tendencies. Bush beans are compact plants that have a short, spreading, shrubby formation that do not need extra support. Bush beans mature faster than pole beans and crops develop simultaneously when planted at the same time. Pole beans have a climbing habit that requires support from a trellis, poles or netting. Pole beans have to establish vines before beans start to develop; these plants continuously produce for several months.

Cultivars

• Royalty and Royal Burgundy are cultivars of bush beans with purple-colored pods. Purple hyacinth bean, or Lablab purpureaus, is a pole bean plant native to India with ornamental bright fuchsia to purple bean pods that contain snap beans. Louisiana purple podded, or Phaseolus vulgaris "Louisiana Purple Podded," is a drought-resistant pole bean with vivid purple pods. Trionfo Violetta is a type of French-style pole bean with a nutty taste that forms in long, purple pods. Dragon's tongue, or Phaseolus vulgaris, is a Dutch wax stingless snap bean 6 to 8 inch long with cream-colored pods marked with bright purple stripes.

Growing Needs

• Beans prefer well-draining, deep, sandy loam soils with a medium-to-rich fertility and an average watering schedule. These Fabaceae family plants thrive in full sun with warm temperatures that range between 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Bean species require plenty of space between plants. Space bush snap beans in rows 24 to 30 inches apart with 2 inches between each plant and pole beans in row 24 to 36 inches apart with 4 to 8 inches between plants.

Pests and Diseases

• Several types of pests cause damage to bean plants. Cutworms feed on the foliage of bean plants, chewing on stems near the soil line and severing the stem. Bean leaf beetles use bean plant leaves as a food source, resulting in damaged foliage; severe infestation ends in possible plant death. Many diseases affect bean plants like mosaic virus disease and brown spot. Bean common mosaic virus causing shrinkage, malformation and discoloration in bean plants. Aphids spread this viral disease. Brown spot is a bacterial disease cause by the plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. Syringae, which attacks leaves and pods of bean plants.