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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: nell on May 20, 2006, 18:39:22

Title: Runner beans not climbing !
Post by: nell on May 20, 2006, 18:39:22
This is probably a silly question but our runner beans plants are about 18" high and have been in the ground for about 2 weeks - but .... they will not climb up the canes ! - they're just waving around and are now starting to break off in the wind  :-\  We've tried tying them on and winding them around but they just unravel again. The variety is "Achievement merit" which I think are supposed to climb. Do some types climb better than others or are we doing something wrong ?  Thanks for any info !
Title: Re: Runner beans not climbing !
Post by: cleo on May 20, 2006, 18:55:27
Runner beans do that-now I will tease you(but sometimes this works)-Runners are silly so and sos they just will not grow up the cane,train them onto the cane next door and they get happy. Many a true word is spoken in jest :)
Title: Re: Runner beans not climbing !
Post by: saddad on May 20, 2006, 19:04:47
They will get the hang of it eventually, we all get this proble esp if it gets windy soon after you put them out. If only the tip breaks out it will come from the lower leaf nodes.....
???
Title: Re: Runner beans not climbing !
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on May 20, 2006, 19:47:29
Keep wrapping them round the canes till they get the idea. The windy weather won't help.
Title: Re: Runner beans not climbing !
Post by: raymee on May 20, 2006, 20:54:23
I tie mine to the canes til they get the idea.  but they are thickos
Title: Re: Runner beans not climbing !
Post by: Merry Tiller on May 20, 2006, 21:29:02
It's quite normal
Title: Re: Runner beans not climbing !
Post by: supersprout on May 20, 2006, 23:08:16
And I believe they climb clockwise
Title: Re: Runner beans not climbing !
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on May 21, 2006, 00:44:41
I don't know, but it's easy to see which way the vine wants to wind, because it's always slightly spiral.
Title: Re: Runner beans not climbing !
Post by: tim on May 21, 2006, 06:04:55
Yes, tie them for a start.
Title: Re: Runner beans not climbing !
Post by: nell on May 21, 2006, 10:15:54
Many thanks - will continue tying and winding (clockwise and where they look like they want to go) and hope they soon cotton on !