Runner Bean Growing

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30603, 20 November 1964, Page 6

Runner Bean Growing

The runner bean which is a perennial is worthy of inclusion in the vegetable garden if only because of the excellent yields that are possible. Responsive to the inclusion of well rotted organic matter which can be added for a previous crop, the addition of a general fertiliser in the proportions 2.2.1 at approximately four ounces to the square yard will further assist in the establishment of vigorous and productive plants. Seed can be sown from now on until December, at least one inch deep and six to nine apart. These can be sown singly as the germination rate is usually high. A precaution against failure can and should always be taken by putting in additional seeds toward the ends of the row. Spacings between the rows are dependent on the type of support to be given. This sort of thing is normally constructed from whatever happens to be lying around at the time. However, the perennial nature of the runner bean, which permits earlier cropping by at least two weeks over freshly sown seed in subsequent years, and the fact that flimsy structures can inflict severe damage to the plants in strong wind, suggests that a more rigid or better still permanent support is necessary.

Wire netting can be used, also individual stakes, trellises and strings which are attached to an overhead wire strained between posts. Sticks can also be grouped in a circle and crossed and tied together near the top to give a wigwam effect, the seed being sowed around the perimeter. Yet another method is to build a miniature pergola which has the advantage in that it enables picking from both sides of the row with equal facility. Six feet is sufficient height for whatever method of training is employed. Cultural Attention

Once the seed has germinated a certain amount of cultural attention becomes necessary to the success of the venture. Weeds should be removed as they appear and the soil kept moist and friable. Although less prone to disease than other beans runner beans are just as susceptible to insect pest damage of which red spider presents the greatest threat especially in the early and later stages. Malathion or TEPP will give efficient control. Growth can be boosted with a sprinkle of nitro chalk along the rows not as the shoots begin to twine the start of which should be assisted by carefully twisting the ends around the base of the support or by tying the strings to the stems if the latter method is being used.

Watering now plays an important part, it has been found that if the soil is soaked to capacity just as the first flowers show green the yield can be increased by almost half as much again but if watering is delayed until the flower buds start colouring the benefits are considerably lessened. Root dryness is responsible for a percentage of flower drop, an experience common to many gardeners; strong wind can also be responsible as can one of natures phenomenas that there is a natural drop when the plant is carrying a certain weight of crop. This of course can be minimised by regular picking once the crop begins to mature. When the terminal shoot has reached the top of the support it should be allowed to entwine itself securely on the horizontal and then it is advisable to pinch it off. This will encourage lateral shoot formation. As flowering is in free swing occasional damping down will also prove beneficial. Regular picking can commence once the seeds are just beginning to swell the pods.

In this way, not only can the possibilities of flower drop be reduced but more tender beans are obtained and plant productivity is extended. Of the varieties of runner * beans, the Scarlet runner I bean and in particular j (Emperor are best known Mammoth Scarlet has the advantage that its long pods will remain stringless for a longer time. Fardenlosa is an excellent stringless bean and another variety of runner bean that can be recommended is Essex Wonder.