I tried growing Hija about 10 years ago - unsuccessfully. It requires a much longer growing season than I have here. It is a strong climber, and like most limas, seems to love heat... but then, a "hot" day here is only in the 90's. It is a huge lima, I wish I had tried it in the 1980's when I lived in San Diego.

Royal Corona is a white-flowered runner bean, with large white seeds. There are quite a few similar varieties, such as Gigandes, Bianco de Spagna, and Bond's Orcas Lima (which is not a lima). Runner beans are also strong climbers, but they prefer cooler weather, and need moderate temperatures (say, below 80 degrees) to set pods. Most runner beans flower fairly quickly after planting; if you are in the Sacramento area & you plant now, you might be able to get a few pods to set before the heat moves in. If the vines are in bloom, it only takes a day or two of temps in the 70's to set dozens of pods. The vines may still flower in warmer temperatures, but will drop blossoms & set few (or no) pods. You might be able to get a few pods to set in warm temps if you spray the flowers with water several times a day.

I think I am a little late planting the runners then. I already have the seeds started and in the garden. I guess I can put the Hija's in the sun and maybe the Corona in half day/morning sun. Summer is hard on all the plants and many go into a slow-down mode in July and August. Usually I can plant things earlier because the days start to warm in February... but not this year. Our nights have just started staying in the 40s overnight.

Thank you for answering my questions.

Kate

All the beans went into their respective BIG pots in early April and are now traveling up their various trellises and promise to grow to great heights... if allowed. There is a lath shade cover over that area that is made up of 1" x 1" x 12' with a gap between each of a couple of inches. I'm wondering if the beans will decide to trave these once they outgrow the trellises. So far the experimant is working.

I wish you luck, and look forward to reading about your results.

So far the Corona Beans are doing great, but the Hija are slowing down and way behind the Coronas.

The Coronas are even taller today. I need to get them to grab onto the shade lathing.

Flowers mean beans; and such pretty flowers.

I have discovered that flowers DO NOT mean beans. I have flowers and I have bees.... but not one bean pods even starting. What I have is a lot of empty stems. 😥

Ah! We have had much cooler weather the last couple of days and I found one itty bitty bean pod. I will see if it disappears by tomorrow. I guess I misunderstood when to grow these beans; I thought they all liked warmer weather.

The Hijas aren't growing much at all. They got to 6' and stopped. Growing both of these was an experiment, so the experiment continues.

I have BEANS! well, two pods anyway... on the Coronas. Can I eat them green or do I have to let them dry?

You could eat the pods if they have not begun to swell, ... but IMO it would be a waste. That variety is grown for its use as a dry bean. Besides, that would give you some dry seed to carry forward.

Well... The Coronas died with only 3 pods on the plants......... I thought. I pulled everything down and found that 2 of the Corona plants have new green growth. So I took off everything that was dead and will see what will happen over the winter.

The Hoyas are still alive, but never did have a pod. I guess we will see what winter brings.

Wow, you're not having much better luck with Hija than I had. :-( Hope you stay frost free, and that cooler weather is the trigger needed to get some pods set.

I hope you are right. I know they successfully grow Coronas up north of us.

We are having January weather and I hope it doesn't get any colder or I will lose everything. But then, I guess that's the price for living in the Central Valley.