- In warm weather, soil temperature should range between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The seeds are planted at a depth of 1 to 1½ inch. Pole lima beans should have a distance of at least 6 inches apart, and rows 36 inches apart. Lima bean plants mature between 65 to 75 days.
- Bush lima beans mature between 63 to 77 days. Bright green pods with full-size peas and soft pod ends are ready for harvest. This form tastes buttery. In dried form, this bean turns ivory white.
- Pole lima beans can mature throughout the growing season and produce a longer bean and a higher yield than the bush lima bean. A fence or tepee style structure should support this vine type of bean.
- Pods may show a white cotton-like fungal growth known as downy mildew caused by the fungus Phytophthora phaseioli. Roots can show reddish-brown lesions from Rhizoctonia root rot caused by Rhizoctonia solani.
Pests include lima bean pod borers, bean aphids, bean weevils, Japanese beetles, long-tailed mealybugs, Mexican bean beetles, slugs and snails. - Lima beans contain cyanide compounds. Soaking and cooking lima beans will reduce the toxins.
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