Dwarf French Bean advice Please

[Kallie]

I have grown quite a few Dwarf French beans in my greenhouse. They are now about a foot high, as I was waiting for the weather to get a bit warmer. They look very healthy. The trouble is they are getting a bit long and spindly. Should I nip some of the top, not sure how much, and will this make them more bushy, as it's been quite windy the past few days?

Any help appreciated. Thanks

[rustylady]

In Essex it should be warm enough to put french beans outside now, but as they have been in the greenhouse until now you will have to harden them off by standing outside during the day and bringing them in at night for about a week. Find them a sheltered spot if you can.

[Kallie]

In Essex it should be warm enough to put french beans outside now, but as they have been in the greenhouse until now you will have to harden them off by standing outside during the day and bringing them in at night for about a week. Find them a sheltered spot if you can.

Thanks for reply. I was thinking if it's O.K. to just nip the tops and plant them out temporary under cloches, as they are getting pretty root bound.

[rustylady]

I wouldn't nip the tops, but planting under cloches seems a good idea.

[Nicos]

never heard of nipping out the tips of dwarf French beans before- only climbing ones- I'd have thought it wouldn't be a good idea.
Have you thought of supporting them with pea sticks instead?

[Kallie]

The only problem they will bend under the cloches. I remember a few years back my runner beans I nipped some of the tops when thry were about a foot high and this made them grow with two stems.

[Nicos]

Newspaper tents at night should do the trick...held together with pegs ...forget about the cloches!

[Veggielot]

If they are dwarf then probably won't get much bigger. I would harden them off and get them outdoors.

[Two_Sheds]

The only problem they will bend under the cloches.

So just harden them off properly then, and they won't need cloches

[Jono]

I'm in Essex Kallie and have had mine outside for a while now, if that helps.

[Kallie]

Thanks for all your replies. I have now planted a row of the beans, so they will not touch the cloche and leave the cloche off during the day. I have also put two stakes either end with 2 rows of string,to support them as yesterday was really windy, but they look really healthy, so pleased with them.