Runner beans

[davina112]

The runner beans in the PT are up to the top of the cane and have no where else to go, if I pinch the tops off will that thicken the plants up and encourage them to grow more beans ?

[Mo]

Yes it should make them grow more bushy.

[Maggie1]

Turn them around and make them go down again. But remember to do it anti-clockwise or else they will unwind themselves

[Mo]

Are you serious Maggie?

[Maggie1]

It sounds stupid but perfectly true, but its got to be anti-clockwise as its the only plant that climbs that way. You can do the same with sweet peas as well but that clockwise. Or wind them horizontal, so they go across the trellis/net or canes. I'm not having you on.

[albertajune]

We live and learn. Honestly Maggie when it comes to growing plants you really know your stuff. A very handy tip.

[davina112]

Thanks Maggie, I will do that now

[perchy]

Amazing, how clever

[davina112]

I have "encouraged" the beans to go back down the cane, I will see what they are doing in the morning

[Maggie1]

It takes a bit longer than overnight

[Mo]

They do seem to grow quickly this time of year though.

[billnorfolk]

Its a fact they do grow anti clockwise around a pole or support but in Austrailia do they grow the other way round clockwise .
I do tend to nip mine out once at the top of the frame 7ft and it makes them then bush out but its just the way i do it
You have made some good growth if at the top allready ,with the cool start mine about halfway but can see the growth every day now with the warmer weather

[davina112]

Thanks guys
Maggie, I didn't mean I expected them to have grown down the pole overnight, rather would they still be pointing down or have got themselves pointing back up. They are still pointing down this morning
Bill, these are the 6 plants we put in the PT just to see what happens, quite a few flowers now
The outdoor ones are not as big, although they are starting to produce flowers.

[Maggie1]

Thanks guys
Maggie, I didn't mean I expected them to have grown down the pole overnight, rather would they still be pointing down or have got themselves pointing back up. They are still pointing down this morning
Bill, these are the 6 plants we put in the PT just to see what happens, quite a few flowers now
The outdoor ones are not as big, although they are starting to produce flowers.

They might try to go back up again, but if that happens do as Bill says and pinch out the top. One lesson we learned is don't let them get near the plastic at the top. We did and they bleached and died off. We also put some outside as well but they don't do half as well as in the PT because of our rain/wind and slugs.

[Mo]

... One lesson we learned is don't let them get near the plastic at the top. We did and they bleached and died off. We also put some outside as well but they don't do half as well as in the PT because of our rain/wind and slugs.

Ah, that solves the question I was about to ask. At junior school PT meant I had to strip to my vest and knickers but maybe on DTL it's a polytunnel.