Moonlighting

[Jonnyt]

This year I thought I'd try some self setting and stringless runner beans as I hate having to prepare them.

I chose Moonlight and this Sunday had my first beans (I was late sowing them).

Unfortunately they were totally inedible as they were stringy. They weren't picked late or anything like that.

Has anyone else found this with Moonlight or can you advise a variety that doesn't get this issue?

On the other hand I can eat Cobra when they are obviously too big but are still never stringy.

[bearded bloke]

Odd, they should be stringless

[piskieinboots]

I haven't tried Moonlighting - this year I grew White Apollo. The result has been amazing, the bees have had #(are still having) a feast on the flowers, I have a freezer full of the darlings (beans, not bees!). Preparing has been simple, there is no 'string' to slice off on the sides.

I planted these (sown from seed in root trainers) on 7 May - they are still going strong and flowering and setting more beans.

[craftymarie]

I haven't tried moonlight but if you want stringless beans, I absolutely recommend St George. I bought them from Thompson & Morgan. These are fantastic runner beans, prolific growers and I haven't had to de-string any of them.

If you leave them too long before picking, they get a bit tougher but still nowhere near as stringy as runners I've eaten in the past. I still don't bother to de-string the old ones either because they taste fine as they are. Just wash, chop and cook

[bearded bloke]

Firestorm are another runner/french hybrid, deffo stringless or Mrs.BB would have been feeding them to the chooks, not saying she has an aversion to stringy beans or anything

[Potstubsdustbins]

Even Firestorm can develop string if you leave them to long as I found out last Saturday when SWMBO complained about them.

Picked at the right time they are as you say totally string-less.

[Penellype]

I'm growing Stardust (white flowered) and Red Rum (red flowered), both of which have no strings. I ran out of Red Rum seeds so I bought some Firestorm which are currently flowering so I can't vouch for those yet.

[Chippy Minton]

We're trying Moonlight for the first time this year and no string so far, although there was a hint on one this weekend. Try plucking them small and see if it is a time thing? Otherwise it's probably the weather.......

[Greenleaves]

I am a fan of Firestorm, but have had a couple of woody ones.....exceptionally thirsty though

[Ladyslip]

I've grown moonlight for the last few years ....they generally come to fruition during my busiest work time away......and get forgotten.....having said that....I have found they can become quite tough quite quickly....with this in mind I tried firestorm last year alonside moonlight and found them to be smoother sweeter beans.......this year Ive tried snowstorm tender star firestorm and moonlight.......

[WendyC]

My Moonlight are going strong and aren't stringy. Have they had plenty of water?