Runner Beans---TRIFFID!

purplepixi

It might be the pots. Last year I grew mine in large pots, 4 beans to a pot, and altough I got some beans from them, I didn't get many.

This year I dug a rather large bed for them and they're going mad, my freezer is full to the brim with beans, and I've planted less than I did last year.

Beans are deep rooters and heavy drinkers, if they don't have enough space they'll suffer, the same with water, they need constant supplies - try using one of those bottle top waterer's where you tip the bottle upside down and put it in your pot, then it gradually gives them water, instead of giving them loads and swamping them, and then letting them dry up.

squiggle37

my beans have gone soft at the ends also noticed lots of new little beans are soft i water them plenty twice a day and feed once a week.
Anyone know whats causing this problem.
many thanks

lindash1

Because I don't have enough space or suitable places I planted some runners in the ground but two lots in large plastic pots with plenty of humus etc. They have reached the top of the canes and are now back on the way down - plenty of flowers and beans but the trouble is the pots have blown over in the gales - also it is hard to reach the top for picking and the best ones are at the top. Is there a good way to grow in pots - also they need a lot more watering in the pots. Anyone got any good ideas for next year:idea:

Farway

Try growing in large square pots, that way the base is not smaller than the top & is more stable

Plus next time remember to pinch out the tips of the plants when about 3 inches or so from the top. They will branch out a bit then instead of going up to the sky

And get some step laddders :rotfl:

bella165

what i did when i grew mine in pots was to get some gardening wire and connected that to the top of the canes.then across my fence so then they get trained to go along insted of up and away lol hope that helps.(i do the same with my peas)

Lord_Gardener

Large stones/crocks on the bottom of the pots and small (6') wigwams of bamboo do the trick for us (DD's).

Debt_Free_Chick

Well my runners are in wooden frames in a raised bed and they've still blown over!!

The best crop will generally be at the top, as the plants naturally "reach for the sky" to get at the light. Not got a step-ladder :rotfl:

wurzelsar

When my runner beans have reached the top of the canes, I nip out the growing tip on each plant and I find they crop better as well.

As well as that, I tie my canes with a lower cross over rather than reaching up and tying them together at the top. This way, the beans hang away from the plants when cropping, making it easier to pick them.

lovelyjubbly

Hi lindash1

funny you should post about runner beans, I was just about to post a message, I have some (19) beans for dwarf runner beans, it says, decorative dwarf variety with full size pods, ideal for containers, exposed areas or where space is limited, early and prolific over a long season.
the pack is dated - packed in year ending Aug 2007, sow by M 2008, I bought them this summer, they are too short for my patch and got in the way when I was trying to get to my other veggies in my plot! you are very welcome to them if you pm me, I will post them to you, could you do a swop with a few of your runner-bean beans for me to sow next year?

if you are not interested, is there anyone else out there that could spare me some runner-bean beans to sow next year? and swop with my dwarf beans....

bella165

hi lj

if you need some seeds then just send me a message
bella