Phaseolus vulgaris 'Mistik' – Blue-legged bush bean with fine pods

The Phaseolus vulgaris Mistik is a unique bush bean, distinguished by its blue pods and compact, stable growth. At only 40–45 cm tall, Mistik is ideal for vegetable gardens, raised beds, and even smaller urban gardens. The delicate pods, approximately 15 cm long, protrude above the foliage, making harvesting easy and efficient. Mistik makes a colorful and tasty addition to varieties like Crockett and Mascotte, allowing for a diverse harvest with striking colors.

Fine pods and easy harvest

Mistik produces stringless pods with a fine texture and an average length of 15 cm. The pods remain tender and flavorful, even during slightly longer harvest periods. Thanks to their cluck-type growth, the pods hang above the leaves, making picking easy without damaging the foliage. This characteristic makes Mistik ideal for both novice and experienced gardeners who want to harvest efficiently.

The blue pedicels not only add visual interest to the garden but also help distinguish Mistik from other bean varieties, making it a beautiful ornamental and culinary bean.

Compact, stable and reliable

Mistik remains compact (40–45 cm tall) and forms a sturdy, stable plant. This makes the variety perfect for growing in limited spaces such as pots, raised beds, or narrow garden beds. The plants are healthy and remain productive, even in changeable weather conditions. Furthermore, Mistik is resistant to bean mosaic virus, contributing to a long, healthy harvest.

This combination of compact growth, stability, and disease resistance makes Mistik a valuable addition to any vegetable garden, especially when combined with other colorful varieties for a varied harvest.

Sowing and cultivation instructions

The sowing season runs from May to early July, once the soil has warmed up sufficiently. Mistik can be sown directly outdoors, but pre-sowing in pots is possible for an earlier start and to avoid bean moth.

Recommended sowing instructions:

• Row cropping: 40 x 8–10 cm

• Sowing depth: 1–2 cm

• Clump sowing: 4–8 seeds per spot

Like other beans, fertilization is usually unnecessary, thanks to the plant's nitrogen-fixing properties. Avoiding waterlogging and wet tillage is crucial, as overly wet soil can cause root rot. Later topdressing promotes a strong root system and can increase yield.

Harvest period and culinary uses

The Mistik harvest period runs from July to September. Regular picking encourages new pods and keeps the plant productive throughout the season.

Use in the kitchen:

• Boil or steam briefly for a soft, full flavour

• Stir-fry or use in summer salads

• Blanch and freeze for later use

• Combine with other colorful varieties such as Crockett and Mascotte for visually appealing dishes

Thanks to its fine, stringless pods, Mistik is quick and easy to prepare, making it a practical choice for everyday meals.