sunflowers as runner bean supports

[aquilegia]

I'm hoping to let my runners grow up sunflowers this year. I know I've got plenty of time before I grow them, but wanted to check how feasible it is, in case I need to make other arrangements.

So have you done it?

Would the sunflowers grow quick enough for the runners? How many runners could one sunflower carry?

[aquilegia]

[tim]

This has been discussed before - can't remember the outcome - but you could search for it.

Knowing our sunflowers, our beans wouldn't have a hope in hell! = Tim

[rdak]

this is the thread:

http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/yabbse/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=81;start=msg997#msg997

[aquilegia]

Thanks Ross - saved me searching.

I think I'll give it a try, but also have canes at the ready, just in case. I have to put my sunflowers somewhere, after all, and the bean patch is the only space available!

[ruud]

Hi,did you know that the indiaans in the states grow corn,runner beans and squash together.

[Hugh_Jones]

Aquilegia, a lot is going to depend on how exposed your site is. Runner beans can generate an enormous amount of foliage by late August, and with a strong wind behind them Ive often seen the stout bamboo supports bending under the pressure.   Sunflowers certainly produce very strong hard stems, but last year I had two that were snapped off in a strong wind, and the pressure of a strong wind on the combined foliage of both sunflower and runner bean may well be just too great.

[Janet_H]

I tried to replicate the corn and runnerbean part of the "three sisters" last year, both grew well but the runner beans ended up "running" every where but up the corn.  The whole bed was a tangled mess in the end.  I did get crop from both but I suspect not as good as I could have had.  I did wonder about putting canes in as well this year but then I think I may grow them seperate.  Janet H

[gavin]

I need to put in canes to hold our sunflowers up!

Can't see 'em supporting runner beans - but the same set of canes for both?  I like that - and it'll encourage youngest to broaden her scope from flowers to a few veg as well.  Nice idea - thank you.

All best - Gavin