Runner Beans...

I'd be inclined to put them into larger pots otherwise they will tend to climb a lot more and not give so many beans (I've tried loads of different methods over the years).

Frost will knock them right back. If you've already got the big canes in the pots then you can wind clear plastic round the outside of the canes if there is a frost due. If it's not too windy you can hold the plastic in place with clothes pegs - it's a quick method. You don't need to run the plastic to the top but keep it a foot or two above the tops of the plants. you can water down the hole in the middle. Remove the plastic if there is hot sun during the day and wind it back at night.

 

Put them into their final container now - if you're going to protect them. That way there will be less root disturbance.

When I said, bigger pots, I really meant something bigger than the final container you've shown us - but if that's all you've got then it will be sufficient.

Your beans look as though they are getting a bit 'leggy' from lack of light so they will benefit from being outside, under protection. If you have cold, or frosty nights, they will slow down (or stop for a while) but will be OK as long as they are protected from the frost.

Don't expect them to get going properly for a few weeks yet but they may do so if we have good weather.

 

The pot will be OK but don't expect them to be quite as prolific as if they were in the ground. Beans like quite a lot of water so just make sure the soil doesn't dry out too much. It's better to give them lots of water every few days (when they're into their full growth) than just a little water each day. I see you have drainage holes so you can't really overwater.

Straight canes are all they need as they are quite profficient at climbing. I'm not sure what spiral canes are but beans spiral naturally around things and they grow from bottom left to top right in their spiral. I'm never keen on metal for beans to climb as it can get quite hot in strong sunlight, and beans don't like too much heat.

I'd be inclined to grow two plants per cane.

Just in case you don't think there could be much difference in the way the bean plant winds, here is an old song about different plants.

 

Growing against a fence is a good idea as the bean flowers will make a nice background for the flower bed. If you don't want to bother, or find it difficult, to buy netting you can just stick a row of nails in the top of the fence, tie some string to them and when the beans are about 9" high just wind the bottom of the string around the beans to get them started. That is when you need to know that the beans climb in a spiral from bottom left, around the front of the string to top right. Once you have started them off they will grow quicker as they are settled into climbing mode.

I would plant them 9" from the fence if possible as it would help the beans to dangle down better. As beans love water you can prepare the ground by digging garden compost into it, a foot deep, to help conserve water and give them a bit of feeding. The old traditional way to halp them with water was to dig a trench about a spit (depth of the blade of your spade) deep, put up to 3" of newspaper or hair in the bottom and put the soil back on top. Newspaper or hair are brilliant for holding water.

In hot dry weather water very heavily twice a week instead of lightly each day. That way the water will penetrate to the bottom of the trench and be held there. The roots will also grow downwards towards the water and anchor the plants better.

A light watering will only allow the water to the top few inches and it will evaporate quickly. The roots will also stay near the surface.

Beans almost always grow better in the ground. Having the fence in the sun is not so important so you can pick whichever fence is easiest for you. The beans like moisture and warmth and don't care too much whether they are in the sun.

Although they are a bit leggy they seem quite sturdy so plant them about 3"-4" deep nd give them a chance. If they don't survive then just plant some more. Give it another couple of weeks or so before putting some more seeds in the pots and they will be ready to go out about the right time. If the first lot are still OK then you have a bonus . you can then either find room for some more against a fence or be generous and give them to someone.