A question or two about Runner Beans

[Garden_Chris]

Hi guys,

So, finally, my runner beans are ready (or seem to be, from what I've read). I've just got a few questions regarding harvesting that I really don't want to screw up!

First of all, the following image is largely representative of the crop on my current plants:


The below are what I've just this second pulled from the plant:


So, just a few things:

• They're between 5-10cm long, although at most, only 1cm wide. I'm aware vegetables don't always conform to EU guidelines, but are these the correct sort of dimensions I should be aiming for, and harvesting?
• Is there a specific technique to picking them, or is it simply, pull them down and problem solved? I don't want to damage the plant, and I've been told they'll keep on producing if the current beans are taken away - is there any truth in this?
• How often should I be checking to see when the others are ready? Twice Daily? Daily? Weekly? Fortnightly?
• How do you keep safe from the bumblebees/wasps/bees? There are drones of them, the bottom/middle of the plant is producing the beans, whereas the top is still in flower. Should I stick to picking them at night?
• I've been told to never let the plant think it's matured, otherwise it'll stop producing beans. The only issue is, everything is green - what if I miss something and catch it too late - am I buggered?

Anyway, I think that's everything, just hoping for a little advice. Also, if I've missed out something you might feel to be important, comment on it below, I'll really appreciate it.

Thanks very much,
GC.

[Florence Fennel]

What sort are they Chris? You can pick them young, I tend to let mine get a bit bigger than the ones you're showing. Pick from the bottom of the plant and check them every other day, because once they start producing the beans, they'll keep on going. Mine are nowhere near ready yet, Enorma and White Lady.

[Garden_Chris]

They're called (and hopefully my memory will serve me here) White Emergo.
Or something along those lines.

[Garden_Chris]

because once they start producing the beans, they'll keep on going.

I'm a little confused - do you mean, they'll replenish themselves from the same - for lack of a better word - "stalk" the previous bean was picked from?

[rustylady]

Too small for my liking. I pick my runners at about 8" long. No, they don't replenish from the same stalk, but if you let the beans get too big (i.e. you can see visible bumps through the pod) then flowering slows down or stops.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Hi Chris,

White Emergo produce a standard size of bean (if there is such a thing).

At full size they could be a foot long, but not all will reach this size. I like to pick mine when the bean starts to press against the inside of the pod (less stringy that way).

I like to support the stem as I pull the bean off the plant to prevent damage to other nearby beans.

Every flower should produce a bean but they won't some don't get pollinated, as the flowers drop of you should be able to see a tiny bean left behind.

A further point now they are flowering don't let them dry out as this will degrade the crop.

The coin in the pic is a 10p.

Colin

[ukfapower]

Hi Chris,
Checking every couple of days to see if any pods are big enough to pick should be fine. The bees are normally interested in the flowers and I'm interested in the bean pods so we don't usually get in each others way. If you are allergic to bee stings you may want to get someone else to pick them or as you suggest pick at night but otherwise I wouldn't worry too much. I haven't got stung in about 4 years of bean picking.
I would try letting them get bigger. I think if you leave them to grow for a few days longer than the ones in your photos they'll be more worth the picking. Trial and error will help you find what size you like them at best.
It can be hard to spot green beans against the green leaves. I like growing purple french beans for this reason, they are easy to spot. But I don't know of any runner bean varieties that aren't green (which doesn't mean there aren't any). All you can do is your best and I think you'll find them easier to spot with practice and as they get bigger.
Good luck and happy bean eating,
Felix

[ginger ninger]

I pick mine between 7 & 8 ins long, I'm growing a mixture of Enorma, Moonlight & Red Rum. The Enorma can grow to lengths of over 16ins long without going stringy. Picked regular your plants will go on producing for months. If you want to save seeds, leave some of the larger beans on the plant to fatten up and dry out. They might not come true to the parent plant if you've grown them with other beans, but if your not fussed about that it doesn't matter. Happy growing.

[scarletrunner]

Best to use both hands to pick,holding the stalk with one hand and pulling with the other.

[Two_Sheds]

do you mean, they'll replenish themselves from the same - for lack of a better word - "stalk" the previous bean was picked from?

Nope, it's the flowers that turn into beans.... so the next lot of flowers you've got, are your next lot of beans

How do you keep safe from the bumblebees/wasps/bees?

They'll be bees, not wasps.
I have 100s of bees on my plot, I get right in amongst them, never been stung in 30 years

holding the stalk with one hand and pulling with the other.

I've been racking my brain trying to come up with any other way to pick 'em ...

[Garden_Chris]

Thanks for the advice guys, really appreciate it.