Guide to growing Runner Bean - Phaseolus
Phaseolus are vines that may reach from 60cm to 1.8M.
There are many varieties and nay be grown as half hardy annuals, hardy annuals or hardy perennials in the garden.
They bloom in the summer, usually with red or white papery flowers.
They then produce bean pods, these should be harvested for eating when they are about 10cm long.
Some common names for Phaseolus include Runner Bean, Snail Flower, white dutch runner bean, and corkscrew runner bean.
How to grow Runner Beans
Seeds of runner bean should be sown eye down in spring about two weeks after the last frost. They should be sown at about 2.5 to 3cm deep into a sunny part of the garden. Once growing Phaseolus members such as runner bean should be provided with a trellis to grow on. Ideally the soil should be rich and moist.
If starting runner beans off indoors start about 5 weeks before due to be transplanted outdoors in mid spring. The beans should first be treated with an inoculate and sown eye down into peat pots. It should take about 5 days for the runner beans to germinate at 15 to 21 degrees centigrade.
Caring for Runner Beans
Once growing supply Runner Bean and other Phaseolus members a trellis or similar support to grow upon. They like moist soil so water regularly. If you require more Phaseolus plants then they can be propagated by taking cuttings in the spring.