What are the sun requirements for Phaseolus vulgaris 'Blue Lake'?

Phaseolus vulgaris 'Blue Lake' is Blue Lake green bean (Blue Lake bush bean), a determinate (bush type) annual growing 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) tall and 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) wide. Straight round dark green stringless snap pods 5-6 inches (13-15 cm) long with a fine tender texture, maturing in 55-65 days from seed. White pea-shaped flowers at leaf axils. Bright green trifoliate compound leaves. In the legume family (Fabaceae). The standard snap bean cultivar in North American home gardens and commercial production. Bush (determinate) type: does not require staking or trellising. The main crop sets over 2-3 weeks, then production tapers — succession-sow every 2 weeks for continuous harvest. A legume: the roots host nitrogen-fixing Rhizobium bacteria — do not apply high-nitrogen fertilizer. Direct-sow only: beans do not transplant. Sow after last frost when soil reaches 60°F (16°C). Raw pods contain lectins (phytohemagglutinin) — cook before eating for safety. Mexican bean beetle (Epilachna varivestis) and bean rust (Uromyces appendiculatus) are the primary pests. Non-toxic when cooked. Not deer-resistant. Full sun. Tender annual. Growth rate is fast.

Native Range

Cultivar of garden origin (bush selection from the pole Blue Lake). The species P. vulgaris is native to Central America and Mexico.

Suggested Uses

Grown in vegetable gardens and containers of at least 3 gallons (11 L). Bush type — no trellis needed. The standard snap bean. Direct-sow. Succession-sow every 2 weeks. Cook before eating (lectins). Tender annual.

How to Identify

Identified by straight round dark green stringless snap pods 5-6 inches (13-15 cm) on a compact bush plant with trifoliate leaves and white pea-shaped flowers. Bush (determinate) type — no staking. The standard snap bean cultivar. In Fabaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 2'

Width/Spread1' - 1'6"

Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Summer

Summer (July-September). White pea-shaped flowers at leaf axils. Self-pollinating. Pods 55-65 days from seed. Bush type: main crop over 2-3 weeks.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White, small, papilionaceous (pea-shaped), 0.5 inch (12 mm), in clusters at leaf axils

Foliage Description

Bright green, trifoliate compound (3 broadly ovate leaflets)

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

55-65 days from seed

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Full sun (6+ hours). Well-drained soil pH 6.0-7.0. Direct-sow only (no transplanting). Soil temperature 60 degrees F (16 degrees C)+. Do not apply high-nitrogen fertilizer (legume fixes its own nitrogen). Harvest every 2-3 days at 5-6 inches. Raw pods contain lectins — cook before eating. Tender annual.

Pruning

No pruning. Harvest pods every 2-3 days when 5-6 inches (13-15 cm) long and pods snap cleanly. Overripe pods with visible seed bulges become tough. Succession-sow every 2 weeks for continuous supply.