Hidatsa Red: Bush dry bean with deep-red seed and occasional white seed sports.About this varietyHidatsa Red is a bush dry bean with semi-twining growth. Cornell documents deep-red seed with occasional white sports, the alias Hidatsa Indian Red, and maturity near 80 days.GrowingDirect sow in late spring after frost danger has passed and the soil has warmed. Plant about 1 in deep, space plants about 4 in apart, and allow about 24 in between rows. Grow in full sun in well-drained loam near pH 6.0–6.5. Bush plants do not require a trellis. Water at the soil line and keep moisture steady during flowering and pod fill. Avoid working among plants while foliage is wet. Beans germinate poorly and may rot in cold, saturated ground.Harvest and useAllow pods to dry fully, harvest before shattering, cure under cover, shell, remove damaged seed, and cook the dry beans thoroughly before eating.Saving seedSaved seed will reproduce the planted type most reliably when the source seed is open-pollinated and the variety is kept sufficiently isolated. Select healthy, true-to-type plants and save seed from multiple plants. Common beans are primarily self-pollinating, but insects can move pollen. For home-use purity, separate varieties by about 100–150 feet or use blossom barriers. Allow pods to mature until most are yellow, mahogany, or dry and brittle. Harvest before shattering, cure pods under cover for 1–2 weeks, thresh, clean, and dry the seed fully before storage. Label the cultivar or market class, year, and lot.
