keeping runner beans short

[maypril]

I wasn't going to bother with runner beans this year, but my neighbour gave me a dozen seeds.

I only have half a dozen small garden canes (5 foot high). I don't particularly want to go out and buy any more. Will I be okay growing two per cane and pinching them out when they get to the top?

[Hazel at the Hill]

Be prepared for them to be top heavy, even if you pinch them out - new shoots will grow from the next leaf junction down from when you've pinched them out (i.e. quite high up if you pinch them out when they get to the top)

If you can't/don't want to get longer canes, I'd pinch them out at 2' high, then again when they get to 4', as well as at the top of the canes.

[rustylady]

I'd go with Hazel's advice. If you particularly want dwarf runners, then there are specific varieties bred to be short.