How do the pods of pole beans appear when they transition into the shelling stage?
The pods become bumpy, dense, and heavy.
The shelling stage represents an intermediate maturity level for pole beans, occurring after they pass the tender green stage but before they fully dry out. During this phase, the internal bean develops substantially, filling out the pod considerably. This internal growth causes the exterior pod structure to change visibly, resulting in a bumpy or knobby appearance. Furthermore, the pods gain noticeable weight and density compared to their slender green counterparts. While the pod wall thickens and becomes tougher, sometimes even requiring stringing and snapping due to developing side strings, the interior beans themselves are still fresh, tender, and white, making them desirable for fresh shelling.

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