Your comments and tips

03 Mar 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

I took the tunnel and shade cloth off about 2 weeks ago as the plants were a little spindly. The have grown well and are now flowering. The bean fly hasn't attacked them -- yet ???. When I plant beans now (seedlings - March) they are always attacked by bean fly.

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23 Nov 17, Faye (Australia - temperate climate)

Thank you, Mike, for replying to my query. We don't know anymore than they are called 'runner beans' in the supermarkets and fruit & veg shops in the UK. We will be there again next year and I will endeavour to find out more. Regards Faye

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11 Jan 18, Janet stevens (Australia - temperate climate)

I am gardening in west Australia south of Perth, planted runner beans, as I do in uk, scarlet emperor, came up climbed the poles produced plenty of flowers(more than in the uk) and I have just picked the two beans produced after regularly watering and the tending them lovingly. I think the problem is the flowers were never pollinated, never seen a bee here, and with the excessive wind here the flowers just blew off! What do you think?

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23 Nov 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Ask the supermarket or F&V shop owners what variety they are and then check the seed selling companies. Or take a photo of them and compare to beans on the net.

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23 Nov 17, Mike (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

This is the heading at the top of this page. "Growing Beans - climbing, also Pole beans, Runner beans, Scarlet Runners". Most vegetables have several names - different countries call them different names. You would not be able to import them - quarantine rules. Go to the web sites I suggested and pick a variety or two and try growing them.

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20 Nov 17, Faye (Australia - temperate climate)

My friend really loves the runner beans that he gets in the UK. Where can I get seeds in Australia. Are they the same as scarlet runner beans mentioned in here?

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21 Nov 17, Mike (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

Ask him what variety it is. Google seed selling companies in Australia- Boondie, Seed Collection Company, New Life seeds. They have different climbing beans. They sell small quantities for $1 or so.

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13 Sep 17, PETER B HART (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Please can anyone in your organisation assist and guide me. I live in Sydney Australia. I am looking for information on vegie plants and herbs. I have a lot of time as a retired person. I also have space to grow vegies. However for the last two years I have failed. Along the brustic fences I have prepared beds of 1.5 mtrs x 6 mtrs. Good super soil as called by the supplier, was put in to the beds for a depth of a foot. I also have my own compost bins and put in a lot of effort in mixing etc through the year. So this compost of 40 : 1 Brown and Gtreen matter, is also added. the plants start well and for all the effort i get about 3 cucumbers and other beans, Oakra, capsicums etc grow halfway and then die. Presently in spring they get partial sunlight, but not a lot of direct sunlight. Could the neighboring tree roots be responsible for this problem. I love my gardening and spend at least 4 hours or more a day. PLeeeeese can anyone help me or can I talk to someone. A Horticulturalist might help me. Thank you so much in anticipation. Warm regards Peter

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14 Oct 17, christiaan (Australia - temperate climate)

hi peter - sounds like your plants might not be getting enough sun. If you are trying to grow things like tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchinis bean etc, they typically need at least 6 hours direct sunlight in Sydney. Unfortunately, there's not often much you can do to rectify this, other than moving the bed. Some veggies will grow with less sunlight, including green leafy veg like basil, rocket and some lettuces. But the growth rate will probably be fairly slow Sorry, I realise theres not much good news here

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17 Sep 17, Margaret (Australia - temperate climate)

Hi Peter, I have had a similar problem with tree roots invading my vege beds. I put so much effort into making my soil rich and friable and next door's Pittosporum trees enjoy it all!!!! I have 4 raised vege beds and I have had some success with digging out all the soil, lining the bed with weed matting and then replacing the soil. It was very hard work though, so I have only done 2 beds so far. It has worked reasonably well, so I plan to do the other 2 beds this year. Another option is to grow all your veges in pots, so the tree roots don't invade. Good luck.

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