Phaseolus coccineus ‘Firestorm' is a striking ornamental and a prolific cropper, yielding plenty of tasty stringless beans
AN annual feature on any vegetable plot, runner beans can be sown now and are Tutterly delicious when the pods are picked at a young and tender age. The pitfalls are easy to avoid if you know how, so let me divulge how to ensure a summer full of beans!
White-flowered hybrid ‘Moonlight' is a cross between a runner and a French bean
Better beans on the scene
Plant breeders have done gardeners proud in recent years. While older varieties flowered late in the summer, modern types develop earlier blooms due to boffins adjusting the bean's sensitivity to day length. Drought resistance is improving, too. Red-flowered varieties were once shallow-rooted compared with their white-flowered counterparts, but breeding has now blurred the boundaries.
Dwarf runners growing in pots with chipped bark mulch to prevent loss of moisture
By far the most exciting development has been the crossing of runner and French beans. This British-led breeding programme has introduced some real positives in recent years, such as 'Moonlight' and 'Stardust' (both white-flowered). Improved drought resistance, reduced pod stringiness and better pod set in temperature extremes (due primarily to self-fertile flowers) are all helping gardeners to produce a better quality runner bean.
Hybrid runners like 'Hestia' produce reduced pod stringiness and improved pod set
Top Tip
You can reduce the number of stringy pods by choosing modern self-fertile varieties, watering frequently and thoroughly, and picking beans while young and tender.
Growing the best beans
この記事は Amateur Gardening の April 16, 2022 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
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この記事は Amateur Gardening の April 16, 2022 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
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