Print Page - sunflowers as runner bean supports

Title: sunflowers as runner bean supports
Post by: aquilegia on March 11, 2004, 09:58:40

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?

Title: Re:sunflowers as runner bean supports
Post by: tim on March 11, 2004, 10:20:55

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

Title: Re:sunflowers as runner bean supports
Post by: rdak on March 11, 2004, 10:38:30

this is the thread:

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

Title: Re:sunflowers as runner bean supports
Post by: aquilegia on March 11, 2004, 12:17:01

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!

Title: Re:sunflowers as runner bean supports
Post by: ruud on March 21, 2004, 00:07:46

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

Title: Re:sunflowers as runner bean supports
Post by: Hugh_Jones on March 21, 2004, 00:39:18

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.

Title: Re:sunflowers as runner bean supports
Post by: Janet_H on March 21, 2004, 08:27:11

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

Title: Re:sunflowers as runner bean supports
Post by: gavin on March 21, 2004, 08:41:45

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

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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: aquilegia on March 11, 2004, 09:58:40