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Dwarf runners and frenchies
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Topic: Dwarf runners and frenchies (Read 3275 times)
Mrs Ava
Hectare
Posts: 11,743
Dwarf runners and frenchies
«
on:
April 26, 2004, 22:12:52 »
I sense a series of dumb blonde questions coming from me over the next few weeks as things start to get out into the ground. So let battle commence.
I have some dwarf runners and dwarf french beans. Even tho they are shorties, will they need some sort of support, similar to broadbeans, or do I just grow in a row and they look after themselves?
Thanks all. ;D
«
Last Edit: April 26, 2004, 22:13:17 by EJ - Emma Jane
»
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Doris_Pinks
Hectare
Posts: 5,430
Re:Dwarf runners and frenchies
«
Reply #1 on:
April 26, 2004, 22:17:58 »
EJ, never done the runners, but my frenchies always seem to support each other, but have been known to plonk in twigs cos I was worried, and had planted them too far apart! DP
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We don't inherit the earth, we only borrow it from our children.
Blog:
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Mrs Ava
Hectare
Posts: 11,743
Re:Dwarf runners and frenchies
«
Reply #2 on:
April 26, 2004, 22:31:50 »
ooo, so close-ish planting huh. That's what I like to hear. ;D Thanks DP, will keep some pea sticks back incase I get worried and gales are forecast. ::)
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Multiveg
Hectare
Posts: 1,943
Oops, been gone a while, but still allotmenting.
Re:Dwarf runners and frenchies
«
Reply #3 on:
April 26, 2004, 22:36:28 »
The one lot of dwarf runners (Hestia) I put in a hanging basket and tubs. No support required.
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gavin
Hectare
Posts: 1,099
Good gardening!
Re:Dwarf runners and frenchies
«
Reply #4 on:
April 26, 2004, 23:39:05 »
Dunno about dwarf runners, but dwarf french beans, I think, like to be in blocks rather than rows. Better pollination, I read - not that I've tried rows! :) And they support themselves.
All best, Gavin
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kingkano
Quarter Acre
Posts: 95
Re:Dwarf runners and frenchies
«
Reply #5 on:
April 27, 2004, 07:12:26 »
I found last year without support the beans do tend to hang in the mud a bit. If you can get over that then they can support themselves planted closely together :)
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tim
Hectare
Posts: 18,607
Just like the old days!
Re:Dwarf runners and frenchies
«
Reply #6 on:
April 27, 2004, 08:52:11 »
Grew Hestia (runners) last year - fairly self-supportive, but I did lay permeable fabric along the row to stop any splashing.
Unfortunately, quite opposite to Helen Yemm's quote in the Telegraph, the fabric gave the weeds a really cosy place to grow!! = Tim
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Mrs Ava
Hectare
Posts: 11,743
Re:Dwarf runners and frenchies
«
Reply #7 on:
April 27, 2004, 12:46:12 »
Aha, block planting, my fave. Now I am going to have to work out where! A row I coulda slipped in, but a block. :o
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Doris_Pinks
Hectare
Posts: 5,430
Re:Dwarf runners and frenchies
«
Reply #8 on:
April 27, 2004, 14:16:03 »
Opps sorry EJ, I meant to tell you I too plant mine in blocks!
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campanula
Hectare
Posts: 617
double digging dudette
Re:Dwarf runners and frenchies
«
Reply #9 on:
April 28, 2004, 18:36:06 »
Do you plant non-dwarf? french beans in blocks - sigh, yes, I too feel an attack of anxiety and dumbness. With a bit of desperation thrown in.
cheers, suzy
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NickG
Newbie
Posts: 4
Noob
Re:Dwarf runners and frenchies
«
Reply #10 on:
April 28, 2004, 18:51:13 »
Hello all first post.
I was wondering how far apart the beans should be planted from one another when in blocks?
Thanks
Nick
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gavin
Hectare
Posts: 1,099
Good gardening!
Re:Dwarf runners and frenchies
«
Reply #11 on:
April 28, 2004, 19:12:32 »
Hi NickG - and welcome!
I sow my dwarf French beans about 6-8 inches apart, in an XXXX pattern. Seems to work.
Climbing French, campanula? Not in blocks - I don't think, at least - I was going to try some this year - 6 inches apart, in drills about 12 inches apart.
Good luck - Gavin
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NickG
Newbie
Posts: 4
Noob
Re:Dwarf runners and frenchies
«
Reply #12 on:
April 29, 2004, 10:46:27 »
Thanks Gavin, will give this a go.
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philcooper
Hectare
Posts: 1,275
Re:Dwarf runners and frenchies
«
Reply #13 on:
April 29, 2004, 13:14:40 »
On pollenation of French beans - I don't think it's a problem.
To quote the HDRA:
The flowers are perfect and self-pollinating, but have to be tripped to set seed. As they are inbreeders (that is, they self-pollinate), you can save seed from just a few plants – it is better, though, if you grow as many plants as possible as you may need to rogue and select – we recommend around 20 plants.
- the reverse is true of runners, which are very promiscuous, again, from the HDRA
The flowers are perfect and self-pollinating, but have to be tripped (usually by bees) to set seed. As runner beans are outbreeders it is important to grow as many plants as possible to maintain the health and diversity of the variety; a minimum of 20 to 30 if possible. Runner beans also need constant selection to keep them true to type
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gilgamesh
Half Acre
Posts: 184
Re:Dwarf runners and frenchies
«
Reply #14 on:
April 29, 2004, 15:29:04 »
Isn't there a subtle difference between scarlet flowered runners and the rest? I've seen suggestions that pink / white flowered varieties self-pollinate much more successfully than the red flowered ones - or have I misunderstood this?
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philcooper
Hectare
Posts: 1,275
Re:Dwarf runners and frenchies
«
Reply #15 on:
April 29, 2004, 16:04:26 »
White flowered varieties are reputed to set seed better than red but both can be difficult ynder hot dry conditions
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cleo
Hectare
Posts: 2,641
I love Allotments 4 All
Re:Dwarf runners and frenchies
«
Reply #16 on:
April 29, 2004, 18:07:18 »
Never tried `dwarf` runners- but as for dwarf French Beans just sow them and leave them to themselves.
Stephan.
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Muddy_Boots
Hectare
Posts: 787
Re:Dwarf runners and frenchies
«
Reply #17 on:
April 29, 2004, 18:46:58 »
Definitely agree with Stephan about Dwarf French Beans. I grew them in my first veggie garden, with no advice other than that on the packet, and had terrific results, leaving them to their own devices!
Have to admit to being devastated when I cooked the purple ones only to find they turned green tho! ;D
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Muddy Boots
gilgamesh
Half Acre
Posts: 184
Re:Dwarf runners and frenchies
«
Reply #18 on:
April 30, 2004, 12:35:28 »
They are a good variety for freezing though - when they go green, they are blanched & can be frozen.
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