How many Dwarf Runner Beans to a pot?

[plantmark]

I am trying Dwarf Runner Bean - Hestia this year. How many plants should I grow in a 14" container?

[Lesley Jay]

Originally Posted by plantmark

I am trying Dwarf Runner Bean - Hestia this year. How many plants should I grow in a 14" container?

Hi Plantmark, I would put 4 Hestia plants in a 14 inch container.

[DavidT]

And I`m going to say 5.. 4 around the rim and 1 in the middle.

[plantmark]

Great thanks

[stupo74]

Hi Plantmark,
After reading the last 2 responses to your thread, (posted by the "Boss" & David) any reply from a "Novice Type Person" like myself would seem rather futile.

However, i have grown this variety before, (in the open ground) leaving plenty of room for them to "Bush" and i find that 4 or 5 plants in a 14 inch pot hard to understand

When you do plant them,,, a couple of snaps with the progress, would be most welcoming,,,, good luck with your seasons growings,,,
cheers stupo

[Lesley Jay]

Hi Paul, the "Boss" likes to make sure that any info I dish out is correct!!

I follow exactly what you mean about giving the plants room to bush out - when I was growing dwarf french beans on my allotment I spaced the plants 12 inches apart as I had plenty of ground, the plants grew great and harvesting was easy.

But growing in containers is different as we just don't have the luxury of all that growing space and veggie plants are planted out at quite 'tight' spacing.

Anyway, I thought I had better check about dwarf runner beans, so I have had a read and discovered just how hopeless seed companies are with planting out info! But plenty of people grow the Hestia dwarf runner bean and they all put 4 plants in a container. One person sows 10 seeds direct into the container, without thinning out, which grow into a colourful bush covered in runner beans!

[stupo74]

Hi "Boss",
Having not grown the said variety in pots, i am in little position to defend myself evidence wise.
However, would the "Yield" not be affected, with such close proximity of the plants??

Please be gentle with me, i am still a novice, where container growing is concerned well with "All" gardening really not bad at grass cutting though

Not sure if i have any "Cards" outstanding but should avoid "Red" on this ocasion,,,,,,,,
cheers stupo

[Lesley Jay]

Hi Paul, no cards on this occasion - I'm saving them for the world cup!!

You are quite right about the yield being reduced. All bean and pea plants are deep rooted and growing them in containers does produce a smaller harvest. But if you don't have an allotment and your OH won't let you dig up the lawn and the only option is to grow in containers, then you do at least get a harvest of lovely, tasty, home grown veggies.

To be honest the yield from the runner beans on the allotment was just too massive to cope with!

[DavidT]

By growing 4 OR 5 per pot, you will find a slight drop in beans per plant, BUT by proper watering and feeding the crop per POT isn`t that bad. Grown on the deep bed method, you would plant them about 4 inches apart, lessening the per plant crop, but balanced out by the number of plants used.

[plantmark]

Originally Posted by DavidT

By growing 4 OR 5 per pot, you will find a slight drop in beans per plant, BUT by proper watering and feeding the crop per POT isn`t that bad. Grown on the deep bed method, you would plant them about 4 inches apart, lessening the per plant crop, but balanced out by the number of plants used.

4 inches apart! That sound good David, I will give them a try in my raised beds I think

[Lesley Jay]

Hi Mark, as you have raised beds do you have the room to space the dwarf runners 6 inches apart which is the recommended growing distance?

[plantmark]

Originally Posted by Lesley Jay

Hi Mark, as you have raised beds do you have the room to space the dwarf runners 6 inches apart which is the recommended growing distance?

Lesley, yes I do. What height do they achieve?

[Lesley Jay]

Hi Mark, they grow in height to an average of 18 inches.

[plantmark]

Thanks Lesley. I found it necessary to "cage" my raised beds due to foxes and squirrels digging most things as soon as I plant, but I have a couple of feet height.

[plantmark]

Do they require staking?

[Lesley Jay]

Originally Posted by plantmark

Do they require staking?

Good question! I grow dwarf french beans which the seed companies reckon don't need staking but the weight of the beans pulls the plants down onto the ground, so they must be staked. You're best to grow the plants and see how they do but be ready to put a stake or some twiggy supports in if the plants need it.