On Fri, 14 Feb 2003 21:14:23 +0000 (UTC), (Jerome R.
Long) wrote:

There is a short season novelty sprout novelty called Red Rubine the issupposed
to make red sprouts. Does Red Rubine have any superior merit beyond its novelty
status? I have never seen these in a store, but do usually green sprouts in the
produce sections. Is there a most preferred variety for commercial production?

Many 'novelty' veg are less productive/hearty than their common
companions, but some are perfectly OK -- 'yard long' beans are common
oriental veg; purple hyacinth beans (dolichos lablab -- how I love to
say/type that) are *extremely* attractive and productive.

"Preferred for commercial production" depends on mass-market tastes,
for one thing. Seeing the price of other-than-green bell peppers, I
grew plants for yellow, red, purple, and "chocolate" varieties, and my
casual 'customers' said, "don't you have any plain green ones?" My
favorite yellow was Golden Summer -- a lovely, thick-walled and
productive plant. Purple Beauty was disappointing -- thin-walled,
small fruit. Don't recall the chocolate (brown) variety, but it wasn't
anything to write home about.

I like growing 'different' things for the fun of it. Purple (maroon)
okra is pretty much like the regular ol' green kind in growing habit.
There are a million (well, quite a few) varieties of peppers and
chiles and tomatoes and beans that will astonish your dinner guests,
as well as your gardening neighbors.