More runner bean problems

[sweetcorn]

I saw from Nicky the problems about Lady Di beans. Mine are a v. old variety handed down from Grandad - we just call them 'Grandad's Beans'! They've always been fine, and they've been lovely and tender all year, but the crop we picked today - the skins have gone really papery and inedible. They don't look any different at all, and taste fine, apart from these horrible paper skins when cooked.

Is it the change in the weather/season?

[Sebbster]

Mine started great and then went stringly, if that's what you mean. I dont know what to put it down to other than the type I have grown, which ironically are supposed to be stringless.

Have they been fed throughout the season and was the trench prepared properly ?

[andrewo]

I think this is weather thing, they've loved the damp and romped away but have just gone over too quick.

[sweetcorn]

Yes, I fed them, and I did put some muck in when I planted them, but not a full blown trench. Wondered if it might be a good idea to pick the beans whilst they're very small, rather than letting them get to the usual size?

[Vegmonkey]

Ours grow to about 12/13 cm max, any more than that and the painted ladies get all chewy. I had a few papery ones recently, but that was because the plant had been knawed through at the base and the beans were just starting to die on the plant when i picked that one.