I'm a bit disappointed with my runner beans. They finally started cropping well but I can't seem to catch them between small and useless or large and very tough.
Unfortunately I have no idea what variety they are - the kids picked all the pods at the end of last year and we saved the seeds. Do they de-hybridise and revert to some kind of wild tough past?
Can anyone recommend a variety for next year which is tasty but doesn't go too tough or stringy?
Matt
Good old fashioned 'Scarlet Emporer'.
I really like "Wisley Magic".
I shouldn't worry too much about this year's bean crop. The weather has not been the most suitable for bean production. The cold early on, then very hot.
Having had the cooler temperatures, and rain by the bucketfull. I think we may yet get some beans this year.
Of the varieties we grow, Red Rum would be one I would thoroughlly recommend.
Despite the vagiaries of the English weather, I don't think we will have the usual 'glut', but I think we should, hopefully, have plenty of beans.
Fingers crossed!!
valmarg
I would recommend Enorma. Lovely long slender pods and no stringy ones. Those that went over during our hols provided us with lashings of lovely tender beans to make casoulet and bean stews.
Sue Strickland had an interesting piece on runners in the Guardian magazine yesterday. This was the final paragraph
If you return from holiday to find a crop of overgrown pods and no sign of the familiar red flowers, drastic rescue measures are needed. Strip off every pod, young or old, and water the plants thoroughly if the ground is dry. Then give them a balanced liquid feed - one containing as much nitrogen as potash, rather than a proprietary high potash tomato feed. This should kickstart the plants into flowering again, and they should go on cropping - without gluts or shortages - well into autumn.
I have had good crops from Prizewinner, Scarlet Emperor, and Streamline, although I was a little behind in sowing and planting out this year we are getting a very good harvest now, especially after all this rain. ;D
Last year was very good too, this prompted me to add another bed for this year, I now have three beds ;D
"Best of All", "Lady Di" or "Painted Lady" for me
I grow Painted Lady every year from my own saved seeds - love the pretty red and white flowers - and they're nice beans, too 8) This year I'm also growing Enorma for the 1st time - they're good, too.
Runner Bean Sun Bright for the lovely yellowish leaves, like a robinia, scarlet flowers and tender tasty beans :)
Lady Di should meet your requirements. Tasty, stringless and a good cropper. It doesn't tend to rush to huge size either.
Thanks for all those recommendations. I can hardly wait until spring..........oh well, plenty to be getting on with between now and then.
Matt
My Wisley Magic were competing for room with my sweet peas, but I've found two beans in amongst the jungle and can see more flowers now so hopefully i'll get a decent size crop still.
And I found my first Blue Lake climbing bean this morning. Yipeeeee.
;D
I found an enorma bean last week that was straight(ish) and measured 27" I thought I'd save it for the show but when I told the missus she said I needed 2 for the show :-\ I had another look and found a second almost as long :)
got the show program today and I need 5 beans :'(
oh well guess whats for tea tonight
Streamline have been far better than I expected for 19p!! ;D