Your comments and tips

23 Jun 21, Anonymous (USA - Zone 10a climate)

Soak over night - up to 12 hours then plant.

Reply or Post a new comment

16 Feb 21, Tom ( Queensland - sub tropical climate ) (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

I have been told that SCARLET RUNNER beans, will usually fail to flower and fruit in my sub-tropical Brisbane location, presumably owing to temperatures and humidity. If this is correct for usual planting times, so should I try growing them in our Autumn and Winter period ?

Reply or Post a new comment

17 Feb 21, Anonymous (Australia - temperate climate)

There are times of the year to plant a crop and times when not to. I don't plant beans in the autumn/winter - why because the bean fly kills them. Late summer autumn is usually a wet time with rain - rain is the giver of life to most things, plants insects disease. So now I grow my beans from late winter - no bean fly no problems. In sub tropical don't expect to grow much over summer - weather extremes are too hazardous for most plants. I live near Bundy.

Reply or Post a new comment

17 Feb 21, Steve (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

I have given up on Scarlet Runners, had no success in Brisbane, some success in Southern NSW and good crop in Canberra. That should indicate the weather they like :-) I now grow dwarf beans only, fewer pests, bigger crops, no need for frames or teepees.

Reply or Post a new comment

09 Feb 21, McDaniel (USA - Zone 10a climate)

Can you start pole beans inside instead of outside. My ground not ready yet

Reply or Post a new comment

15 Feb 21, Anonymous (USA - Zone 5a climate)

You have to be very careful growing seedlings indoors. New seedlings chase the sunlight and become very long (leggy) and thin stalked and therefore weak. Easy to snap the stalk. I germinate seed under shade cloth part day in sun, part day in shade. Two days after germination I take the shade cloth off. I move the table to vary the hours of sunlight and shade depending on how small/big seedlings are and what the temperature is.

Reply or Post a new comment

25 Oct 20, Kenneth Daunt (Australia - temperate climate)

I have some Purple King, first time with these, and they are climbing up the frame very well. I had a suggestion to pinch of the top to encourage them to spread sideways. Is this a good idea? If they keep going, now over 2 m high, I will have to train the leaders dideways or down as they will have run out of support. Cheers.

Reply or Post a new comment

03 Jan 21, Pauline (Australia - temperate climate)

Is it ok to plant purple king in January

Reply or Post a new comment

26 Oct 20, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

I have done two plantings of climbing beans recently, 1st crop has just finished and 2nd crop I'm picking now. I have trellises 2.4m long and wire mess 2m high. I plant seeds about 15-20cm apart. Didn't take them long to grow 2m tall. Mine just flapped in the wind and then started growing down the trellis. I'm picking 1kg each 2-3 days. So I don't think you need to pinch or train them sideways etc.

Reply or Post a new comment

08 Aug 20, Debby Elizabeth Arnold (USA - Zone 9a climate)

I have seed packets of scarlet runner beans and wish to know if I can plant them now, August. It is hot: 87-90 degrees Fahrenheit. But cooling into Sept, and lovely, mid 80’s. Also we are fairly close to the ocean (Fernandina Beach) on 4th dune ridge, but have potting mix and Black Cow. Citrus and basil grow great in our yard. Have a spot there gets mostly full sun. Also my Purple Hyacinth, planted in June were doing great until the husband put weed killer on them and some lilies. Will they come back, or must I replant seeds? This is a first for me. Thank you!

Reply or Post a new comment