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Dwarf runner beans
Meomye
Posts: 949
in Fruit & veg
Yesterday I bought a strip of four dwarf runner beans (Hestia) to grow in a pot on the patio. Could someone please advise me on what size pot they need, staking, how to water/feed etc. as I am a complete veggie novice. Thanks
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I guess by a strip you mean they are small plants? I'd pot them now into something a bit bigger - an inch or two deeper ideally but not much wider then they are in now - and keep them somewhere fairly sheltered especially with very cold weather forecast for most of the UK next week, they won't survive out in the open. Later in May (probably) you can put them into the pots you want them to grow in on your patio. Then it depends if you want to have four pots with one plant in each, in which case about a 12inch pot each. If you're going to put four into one pot it'll need to be at least 18inches, I should think - though I've not tried that so someone who has may have more specific advice.
I have grown them one to a pot. They need regular - every other day (unless we get a very wet summer) - watering and a weekly feed. That will most definitely be true if you have several in one pot.
Last edited: 22 April 2017 08:51:25
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
Hi Raisingirl, thanks for reply, on closer inspection there only 3 plants in the strip which are in 7cm square plastic sections and the beans are already 23cm high. I am intending on putting them all in one pot.
Well they grow to about 18 inches high, so you need at least 12 inches depth of compost in the pot. They will grow away from each other a bit, but you want the plants when you put them in at least 12 inches apart. You can do that in an 18 inch diameter pot, just about. A bit bigger would probably be good if you have the space and money for it. Or a long trough, 12 inches deep and 2'6" long, perhaps.
Just in case, 12 inches is about 30cm, 18 inches about 450cm. 2 feet 6 inches is about 750cm
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
Sorry, more questions!
I think I will put them into individual small pots for now. Is it ok to use the Growsure vegetable compost that I purchased for later? Do beans require pinching out like tomatoes? only I have noticed something that resembles a flower bud . At what point does feeding commence? Many thanks
Sorry, me again. I have temporarily potted my beans (smallish pots for now) but they are getting very tall and looking a bit limp. I have put some small supports in but I am not sure if I am watering too much/too little. I am just trying to keep them moist, is this correct please?