runner bean growth

Andy,
As has been said, they will still continue to grow (for a short period) up to about 6" after their tops have been nipped out. The side shoots should now be starting in earnest and some of them will reach the top quite quickly. These will need nipping out then as well. I think it is time that you had a word with your bumblebees :hehe:

Kristen,
Yes, beans do like a trench with manure but also grow well in poor conditions so it may be a bit too rich for them. The other thought is that it may be a bit too warm in there for the flowers to form. Runner beans definitely don't like hot weather but French beans are more tolerant of it - so I'm not too sure. In fact, runner beans sold in this country are being bred to try and be more cold resistant! One of the reasons that Scarlet Runners and Painted Lady were so popular with the Victorians is that they are more cold resistant. They are now trying to breed a runner that is frost resistant which would be interesting because, in their native habitat, runners are perrenial.