Dwarf runner beans - hestia

[Matt94]

so has anyone tried growing dwarf runner beans like hestia? did you get a good crop off of them? did you try growing them in pots or open ground?

only asking as ive been looking at them on the web for a few years and managed to pick up a pack in last years sale.

any advice would be appreciated!

thanks,
matt

[Jamesy_uk]

I tried Hestia couple years back, one of the very first things i tried as it happens, in a 45cm pot with 3 plants fed once a week and got an o.k crop but 3 Scarlet emperor runners in same size pot next to it gave a lot more.

[oldie]

I grow these in my very windy garden. Have always cropped well for me.

[Matt94]

hmmm well im definately going to try them this year

[solway cropper]

You should certainly give them a go. I've grown them for the last three years and will do so again this year. A compact plant, they are perfect for container growing but, as Jamesy says, you'll get higher yields from runner beans in the same space.

[Wren]

I grew these. i didn't read the bit about them being dwarf an put up canes next to them!. It was much to my embarrassment at the lottie that I took down the canes after reading the packet again an them being on my front bed people had been walking past them for weeks... lol.
So I looked at these clumps of leaves on the ground a bit more carefully an I got the shock of my life when I see masses upon masses of long beans hidden so well under the top crown of leaves!!!. They carried on cropping for a few months, I could hardly keep up with them

A fantastic crop from 8 plants! I filled up more than I could eat an freeze an give away. I ended up submitting the excess to the compost due to the huge glut because my 8 plants of regular french climbing beans were keeping up with them. Not completely wasted but... :/.

I would recommend these at the drop o a hat, grade some to pick some small an tender to freeze for winter stirfry bags, and the larger ones slice and freeze in 2lb bags for your winter stash. I have just run out in the freezer because I run out of storage space afor they gave up.

A very rewarding crop that taste wonderful

Wren

[Hazel at the Hill]

Without liking to be negative, when I grew them I had terrible slug damage to the pods - the plants are a foot or so tall, the beans are full size and dripped down on the ground thus making good slug dinners.

They did well, but I'd grow a regular variety which climbs for a better yield and would only grow them again if I couldn't put canes up for climbing beans for some reason.

[Matt94]

hmm seems like mixed reviews - but im still going to give them a go, i may aswell use them now ive bought them.

thanks for the info guys,
matt.

[Newton]

You could grow them aloft! On raised strawberry planters or guttering on a stand and let the beans hang loose. With a crop on the ground underneath perhaps......

Just a thought.....it might work