Runner beans.... help

Ciara111

Ok, I bought some runner bean plants from BQ. They were fine for about 3 weeks. But 2 days ago I noticed that something was eating the leaves...ants (we have loads). Anyway... i decided I would dig them up and put it in pots. There were 3 plants in total. However... over the last 2 days it has been cool and windy. They dont look so good a bit wilted and sad! I did plant them with lots of compost and some slow release stuff. Any tips? They are on canes. What can I do to save my babies????

marklefty

As far as I am aware ants do no harm but what they usually show is that there is greenfly on the plants and they are eating away your precious babies. Ants use the greenfly for some reason. Best bet is take some soapy water in a spray bottle and blast the little beggars. Do this for a few day as they are good at hiding.

Lord_Gardener

They've probably had some shock in being moved - keep them well watered but have decent drainage and they should hopefully recover. It's usually blackfly that attack runners and marigolds are often planted net to them to attract ladybirds and other aphid eaters. I agree with marklefty that a strong spray of soapy water will help remove and deter them - use washing-up liquid very dilute (5ml in a couple of litres). Also check for sluggs/snails which cause lots of damage. Nb the aphids shouldn't kill your plants just stunt their growth.

tanith

I honestly don't think your Beans will survive being dug up and replanted, its too much of a shock to them.... I see you bought them from B and Q about 3 wks ago? are you sure they are runner beans? Runner beans need to be planted in Mid May to Mid June and start cropping in Mid to late July.... so they should be cropping now I don't think you would be able to buy immature plants in Mid July ................

clockley_2

I've been growing runner beans from seed for a couple of years now and learnt a couple of things...
You can never over water them - Twice or even three times a day is ideal. When they reach the top of the canes, nip off the heads to start the flowering and subsequent crops.
Use Ant Powder and Slug Pellets to stop your babies being demolished.
Tie them up to something solid. Growing them in pots (which I do) makes them subject to being blown over in the wind which shocks them and opens them to aforementioned pests.
Runner Beans can still be grown this late in the year - my crop this year were planted as seed in June and are starting to flower now, so it's never too late if you have sun
Replanting can be a shock to the plants (especially if you removed the canes) but with care they should be revived.

Ciara111

thank you all for your responses. I cant wait to get home from work to tend to them. Also- 3 weeks should be 3 months... The beans have some red flowers at the top of them and the card says Runner beans so I imagine thats what they are. I will let you know how I get on.