Runner Beans...

Can't imagine they have Runner Beans on Oz?? Bruce Beans maybe? !!

 

Well...despite what I said, and looking carfefully at what has been said by others, perhaps my beans will survive? Here is a photo of them now..they look a bit pale I think, but I am going to keep hold of them, until my new ones germinate and are ready to go out at the end of May...what do you think? Do they look ok(ish)?

 

i think they will pick up fine mark
glad you didnt lose them

 

Well I am definitely routing for them... I have had them wrapped in fleece for the last couple of weeks and that is when I felt they were going a bit pale...the fleece is now off and hopefully we will get a bit of sun and warmth to provide them with some tlc that they need. Fingers crossed....will let you know how they go over the coming weeks...I have planted two beans by each cane...is that too much do you know?

 

that is your call, do you plan on taking out the weaker ones ?
when i have planted in bags like this i found that one per can did better then two, but i think that is more to do with the amount of watering that each plant needs as once they start to flower they are really thirsty i recommend large bottles with hole top and bottom to allow a slow drip water through the day as well as good watering in the evening and also put a good cover of mulch over the soil to help retain the moisture
i am sure one of the experts will be along soon to advise you better though

 

I hadn't planned on putting two per cane, but I seem to remember someone saying I should. I wasn't convinced there was enough room for six plants in the container 'pea and bean planter' that I have got. I will give it another week or so and consider taking one out. I have already got some hay for mulching when the weather gets hot (hopefully!). Thanks once again....any advice is good advice, in my eyes!

 

if i plant two i usually pull the weaker seedling, but seriously do no under estermate how much water they will take and with the holes in that type of bag you will find a lot will run staight out, is there any way you could put something under it ?

i used a weed membrane and then news paper and bark chippings and still it was dry on hot days

 

You won't believe this ....found a carrier bag in the green house what i use for duds i'm throwing away....was just about to eventually get rid of it when i noticed some lovely beans in it....they were the ones i previously binned...cracking plants....so potted them on.....work that one out

 

Well they are looking ok at the moment Shiney, but alas I saw your message too late...I have already pulled one of the seedlings up from each cane...whoops! Can you remind me which way the plants will want to wind up the canes? Am I right in understandinbg that they will go to the right of the cane and then up? I am trying to work it out as the next shoot is now in place and I want to attach it to the cane, giving it a bit of a helping hand...
I may not have a huge crop this year, but will be happy with something.

I had my first rocket salad tea the other night...it was so good eating my own rocket...it was so strong in taste! If it goes to seed, does this matter? Does it then stop growing or something?

 

Yes, they wind anti-clockwise when viewed from above (dextrorse).


P.S. Anybody tried forcing them to wind the 'wrong' way? Compulsory winding in the opposite direction of climbing plants promotes yield

 

When posting that link I imagined you reading it and thinking about how much work it would be to re-train all those runners you grow to go the other way. Sounds easier to simply plant twice as many beans.

 

My runner beans (sown FAR too early..are showing signs of taking off now...even though the bottom few leaves are looking a bit under the weather due to April and May's wet and cold weather. Quick question. There is a main shoot now that is growing up the cane at a really fast rate. Behind it are other shoots. Do I let these all grow or do I remove these and concentrate on the one? Thanks