Becks-Dwarf Broad (fava) Beans

Does anyone know this variety?

Someone in the UK just sent me an email asking about it.   He said his grandfather used to grow this on his allotment in the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s.

This variety can be found in old seed catalogs from the 1800’s and maybe earlier.  What a shame if this variety made it to the 1970’s only to be lost.

Does anyone know anything about this variety, as well as hopefully where to get seeds?  If so, please get in touch.  I’ll then put you in contact with the person who sent the email.

I’ve checked GRIN, the USDA genebank.  I’ve also looked in some old Seed Savers Exchange catalogs.  I haven’t been able to find it anywhere.

4 Replies to “Becks-Dwarf Broad (fava) Beans”

  1. There’s a variety listed in the Gatersleben database called ‘habas de Beck’, (habas is Spanish for fava beans), maybe this is something to look at?

  2. Thanks for that, I have just contacted them in my very best German, so hopefully they will understand my question!
    I couldn’t access the Alan Bishop site though, even though I did everything it said on the tin.
    I will keep trying….
    Thanks once again,
    David.

  3. David:

    Good luck with everything, and please let me know if I can help with either Gatersleben or the Alan Bishop site!

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