“Slenderette Beans”
(Phaseolus vulgaris)
Slenderette beans are not an heirloom bean. They were developed by Stavely and Joseph Steinke of Rutgers University in the 1980s as part of a project to enhance resistance to a common fungal parasite called “bean rust.”
Slenderette has a complex lineage but it includes some wild beans from South America which have broad resistance to many of the 55 races of rust infestations endemic in the United States.
Slenderette is a dwarf plant which is strikingly productive. The pods are nearly hairless which give them a deep glossy appearance. The flavor is good.
These beans were grown organically in my garden next to a patch of heirloom zinnias. They didn’t seem to mind.
Comments