There seems to be 20 or more strains of Greasy.
Does anyone know the history of these beans and why they are called greasy
I have grown 3 strains and none were of good quality or vigor.
Is there a good tasting variety that grows well.
What is your favorite.
Charlie
Greasy pole snap bean
They are called greasy beans, because the pods have a greasy appearance. I have grown the Little Greasy, which is popular in the Cumberland range along the Virginia Kentucky border. It has excellent flavor, but is disease susceptible. Does not like Georgia at all, several crop failures compounded by the fact that my wife hates string beans has caused me to lose interest as well as seeds. This one is a small white bean. It reminds me of a pole version of mountain half runner. The strings have to be removed for use as a snap bean. My wife goes ballistic if she finds one string in her beans, so I plant mostly stringless cultivars today. But I grew up on string beans.
The Sustainable Mountain Agriculture Center list a number of the greasy bean types. If you go to the Link it will take you the the SMAC web site. Dr. Bill Best has written two excellent articles on Heirloom Tomatoes and Heirloom Beans. You would find these articles helpful.
Gary
Sustainable Mountain Agriculture Center
http://www.heirlooms.org/catalog.html
I noticed Baker Creek sells 'greasy grits'. I opted for dragons tongue instead. It did say that the GG needs to be picked small.