Runner Beans---TRIFFID!

mocolo

Hi,

using the compost from a gro bag is fine, but I believe that runners need some depth so would probably do better in a deep pot. I grew some one year in a large plastic pot with a cane wigwam. When you grow them in the garden you dig a trench and add newspaper at the bottom and loads of rotted manure/compost
HTH

BaileyB

How many plants would i need to have a good crop out of a pot?

And can you grow green beans? (look like mini runner beans i think)

angie_loves_veg

mocolo wrote: »

Hi,

using the compost from a gro bag is fine, but I believe that runners need some depth so would probably do better in a deep pot. I grew some one year in a large plastic pot with a cane wigwam. When you grow them in the garden you dig a trench and add newspaper at the bottom and loads of rotted manure/compost
HTH

what you can do, is 'fold' the growbag in half, cut it thus creating two deeper planters full of the grobag compost - saves on buying extra pots to transfer into. I would plant runners/french beans 4-6" apart, so maybe 3 in each half?

mocolo

angie_loves_veg wrote: »

what you can do, is 'fold' the growbag in half, cut it thus creating two deeper planters full of the grobag compost - saves on buying extra pots to transfer into. I would plant runners/french beans 4-6" apart, so maybe 3 in each half?

what a great idea-I am off out tomorrow to do this! I have some borlotti .beans that i want to plant out. Fab-thank you ALV

Lord_Gardener

They'll grow fine in grow bags!

youngie

growbags do not allow the beens to anchor properly they need more depth, I use the flower buckets sold in morrisons(£1 for 8)fill them from grow bags three plants in each up a wigwam of canes had great results from this

mikeywills

Mr_Kennedy wrote: »

How many plants would i need to have a good crop out of a pot?

And can you grow green beans? (look like mini runner beans i think)

I tend to put two plants per cane, that way if one fails I always have a fallback, last year I had 12 canes, so twenty four plants. Half that quantity would easily support a family of 4 through the summer and give you some to freeze. I always have a habit of going overboard and planting enough for the street too.

Dwarf beans/Green Beans are fine they won't grow anywhere near as tall so suit a pot better. I would use a wigwam of three canes in a pot for runners, and remember to pinch the tops out when they reach the top of the canes, this promotes side shoots and a heavier crop. Dependant on the variety you pick, I like stringless so they can grow a little longer before being picked, you would get a very good crop from a couple of pots.

Remember to keep an eye on the dampness of the soil, as in hot weather they dry out quickly. Apply more water with a little feed when they start to flower and continue to keep damp but not soggy for aslong as they produce beans. Last year I was still picking my successional beans right through until early November.

Marigolds, as companion plants help keep the slugs away while they get established. Once they are out of the ground and travelling up the stem, these can be removed. Aphids are a bane of beans, so check regularily, spray with soapy water from the washing up bowl, or if they have taken hold cut off and destroy the section they are on.

culpepper

Make sure you have good support for the beans .They can get very heavy when full of bean pods. I had mine in the ground last year and the whole Bean frame (made of canes) was blown over in the wind. It was amazingly heavy to try and push back upright. You can get climbing french beans too.
As well as the low growing variety.

BaileyB

youngie wrote: »

growbags do not allow the beens to anchor properly they need more depth, I use the flower buckets sold in morrisons(£1 for 8)fill them from grow bags three plants in each up a wigwam of canes had great results from this

Just to let you know these are free in Asda just ask at the flower shop got 10 the other day for free

Sharra

I planted some runner beans a while ago - some of the seedlings were transplanted into pots and are doing fine, winding their way around the canes n string like good little beans.
The others we put into the ground (dug the grass up to do it). We dug a trench and put newspaper, compost and a few grass clippings into it before filling it and planting the beans out. But the beans aren't doing as well as the ones in pots and they are refusing to twist around the canes; every morning I go out and wind them round, by the next morning they are sprawled on the ground.
Has anyone experienced this? Does it matter? Is there anything I can do about it?
Many thanks
Sharra