Once germinated, Christmas Limas will sprout on a pole that can be as high as 8 feet. Some vines from this pole can trail as much as 10 feet. Proper training of the vines is required.
The Christmas Lima can be grown fastest where temperatures are in the 80’sF during the
growing season. It is cultivated mostly through South America and up to the southern United States. Surprisingly it is also grown successfully in the Northwest of the United States. Growing season temperatures there range between 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and it conducive to germination.
Diseases include anthracnose, leaf rust and southern blight. The bean is also subject to a variety of pests. Blister beetles, flea beetles, mealy-bugs, Mexican bean beetles and whiteflies can be controlled with natural insecticides such as pyrethrum or rotenone dust. Snails and slugs can be controlled by hand picking, traps or poisoned bait.

Medicine
The seeds have a use as an astringent[240]. Folk medicine, especially in India, describe the beans used in the diet of people with fevers[240].
Poison
No lima bean should be eaten raw. Certain varieties, especially those with a red or black testa, have been associated with high levels of cyanogenic glucosides (linamarine); but there is no reliable correlation between seed color and cyanide content. Environmental Christmas Lima 2 factors may also influence the degree of toxicity. These substances have been reduced to safe levels by selective breeding. However, it usually means that the beans must be soaked twice, changing water each time, and then cooked for about two hours.

Like other lima beans, the Christmas Lima has a crisp nutty flavor- sometimes described as similar to chestnuts. The cooked texture is similar to that of a baked potato. Mix Christmas Limas with sweet corn to make traditional succotash. They are a hearty addition to soups, stews and casseroles. The can be tossed precooked in cold vegetable and pasta salads. Moreover any dish minimal rice dish, baring aesthetic concerns, can accommodate this bean.

Lima beans (large, boiled), 1 cup (188g)
Calories: 216
Protein: 14.6g
Carbohydrate: 39.2g
Total Fat: 0.71g
Fiber: 13.2g
*Excellent source of: Iron (4.5mg), Potassium (955mg), and Folate (156 mcg)

Christmas Lima Bean Soup
4 Cup(s) Christmas lima beans; cooked, cooled and drained
1 Pound(s) apple cured bacon, cut into 1' strips
1 carrot; peeled and diced
1 Rib celery
1 Small Spanish onion; peeled and diced
½ Cup(s) flour
3 Tablespoon(s) Hungarian paprika
96 Ounce(s) can of broth
Directions:
In an appropriately sized pot, cook the bacon, stirring occassionally until translucent. Add
the carrots, celery, and onions. When the vegetables are tender sprinkle the flour and
paprika over the vegetables and cook, stirring continuously, for five minutes. Adjust
seasonings. Ladle into warm bowls and garnish each serving with lemon juice and sour
cream.
http://www.gourmetstore.com/recipes/christmas_lima_bean_soup.html

Grilled Anchovies With Christmas Limas, Mint And Chili Oil
1 Cup Christmas Lima beans soaked overnight in 6 cups water
1/2 Medium red onion- thinly sliced
1 Bunch mint- leaves only
4 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil- plus 1/2 C
2 Red Jalapenos Or Serrano -- Chopped, Seeded
2 Tablespoons Hot Pepper Flakes
1 Teaspoon capers
1 1/2 Pounds fresh anchovies (or sardines)
3 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 Head Frisee lettuce, washed and -- spun dry
Drain soaked beans, place in 4-quart saucepan with 8 cups water and bring to a boil.
Lower heat to high simmer and cook until tender, yet slightly firm to the bite. Drain and
cool. Place cool beans in a mixing bowl and add onion, mint and extra virgin olive oil.
Season with salt and pepper, toss to coat and set aside. Place remaining half cup of oil
into a blender and add chilis, pepper flakes and capers and blend until smooth. Remove
to bottle with lid and set aside.
Christmas Lima 3
Preheat grill.
Clean and gut anchovies and place on hottest part of grill, and cook through, about 1
minute per side. Meanwhile, add vinegar to bean mixture and toss to mix. Add Frisee and
stir to coat. Place on platter. Remove fish from grill, arrange around salad and serve.
Yield: 4 servings
http://www.recipesource.com

Warm Christmas Lima and Shiitake Mushroom Salad
1 cup dried Christmas Lima beans, soaked if desired
Salt and black pepper
1 large bunch arugula or 1 small head romaine lettuce
1 pound shiitake mushrooms, stemmed
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 large garlic cloves, chopped
2 cups chopped plum tomatoes
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons finely torn basil leaves
Yield: 4 servings
Place the beans in a saucepan, cover them with water to a depth of 2 inches, bring to a
simmer and cook, partially covered, until beans are tender, about 1 hour if soaked, 1-1/2
hours if unsoaked. Drain beans and season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside,
covered to keep warm.
Rinse, dry and remove stems from arugula or romaine; divide among 4 plates. Slice the
mushrooms caps in strips about 1/2-inch wide. Heat 5 tablespoons of the oil in a large
skillet. Add the mushrooms and garlic and sauté over medium heat until mushrooms are
tender. Stir in tomatoes. Continue cooking for about 5 minutes, until tomatoes have
softened. Fold in the beans, balsamic vinegar and basil. Again season to taste with salt
and pepper and remove from heat. Spoon the warm bean-and-mushroom mixture over
the greens and drizzle with remaining olive oil. Serve while still warm.
Adapted from ''Elizabeth Berry's Great Bean Book,'' by Florence Fabricant .

[Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and
Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Electronic Plant Information Center Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew
http://www.kew.org/epic/index.htm
United States Department of Agriculture- Plants Database
http://plants.usda.gov/index.html
Integrated Taxonomic Information Service-USDA
http://www.itis.usda.gov/index.html
Christmas Lima 4
The Victory Seed Company
http://www.victoryseeds.com
great source for ordering beans as well as their cultivation