skip to main content

Vegetable Gardening

Scarlet runner beans

16 years ago

I used to grow scarlet runner beans to cover an ugly deck wall, and would get so many delicious beans to eat and to share. Then I stopped planting them for a few years, until last year, I got a very scanty harvest. This year, there is a ton of beautiful red blossoms, but they are not setting, and the blossoms would fall and cover the ground. Has the scarlet runner bean been bred out of the plant, so that it would only yield beautiful flowers, or am I doing something wrong? I know that they are often used for visual effect, but the tender beans are delicious stir fried with garlic and butter. By the way, I had implemented the soil carefully without giving it too much nitrogen, i.e. followed all the advice from the books.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

organica
16 years ago
I think there are some varieties that have low yields and are mostly for ornamental purposes - so maybe it is the fault of the seeds you used this time around, if you purchased new seeds. Possibly you got a mislabeled batch.

Or, if you have been saving your own seeds, I believe it is possible that you're seeing a kind of self-selection happening and it might be time to buy new seeds.

Or, are you getting a lot of heat, more than in past years? Scarlet runners don't like intense heat.
-O
Macmex
16 years ago
Most runner beans are not very tolerant of hot conditions, and even less tolerant of dry conditions when they are setting seed. My guess is that your conditions have not been as favorable as before. But I bet they will start setting on pods very soon. You might even try spraying the plants with water in the evening or early morning before the sun comes up. That might help.

George
Tahlequah, OK
Related Discussions
Scarlet Runner Bean and Purple Hyacinth Bean Vine
Q
Comments (6)
Runner beans will rot if too wet. I sow them indoors in April or outdoors in late May and water only sparingly. Do not presoak as they risk rotting. Don't winter sow. They need warmth. If you can get them started it may be possible to get a crop as they grow very fast in warm conditions. Mine started cropping about three weeks ago and it's been about 60f here. No way has the soil been 65 - 70! You could also consult the legumophiles on the Bean, pea and legume forum.
...See More
Scarlet runner bean vine?
Q
Comments (6)
Scarlet Runners are a very old variety and still one of the tastiest. Eat them young and keep picking even if you have too many, this keeps them flowering and producing. Pull any old ones off except a few pods for seed. We find they will grow anew from previous roots but plant a few new ones to be sure. Another name is 'Seven Year Bean' They usually need stringing and slicing but are well worth the trouble. They are good on a tall tripod for ornament and produce. The dried beans are edible, just treat them as ordinary beans. As far as I know there is nothing poisonous about them. In season we would get two or three kilos every couple of days. Liz with her 'pick'.
...See More
ISO Scarlet Runner Beans and Glass Gem Corn
Q
Comments (3)
I have common milkweed, swamp milkweed, beets, turnips (orgabic), hybrid pumpkins, magic hybrid pumpkin, yard long bean, hybrid radish, and some more- I don’t have my seed box on me at the moment. Just ask and I’ll let you know if I have some! I also have costa rica scarlet runner beans that lack fun pigmentation of the beans but they are white and produce the same vine and flowers.
...See More
Looking for Scarlet Runner Bean seeds
Q
Comments (16)
You can order several runner bean varieties from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds for $3.50 a pack. They have free shipping and will include a bonus pack of some other type of seed, too. I'd expect most places that stock very many seed packs would have these, too. Botanical Interests is one that is sold at garden centers around here and they have Scarlet Emperor Runner Beans with bright flowers. Sometimes the runner bean packs are displayed with the flowers so look at both the veggie rack and flower rack.
...See More
oldroser
16 years ago
This is a cool weather kind and we've been getting some vey uncool weather. Romano, Blue Lake or Kentucky Wonder would do better but not produce the pretty flowers.
gardentrekker
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for all your helpful input. i will try giving them more water etc. since there are so many flowers that there may still be a chance for a few setting. The weather has not been conducive to cool weather plants. There have been so many days with extremes that we might as well have moved down south. I think I will give it one more try to find some "decent" scarlet runner seeds for next year, then it is Blue Lake or Kentucky Wonder, since I am more interested in the beans than show.
jwr6404
16 years ago
George
Nice to read that "most" runner beans are not very tolerant of hot conditions. You all have been having some warm weather. Hope your beans are doing well.

Related Stories

SUMMER FRUITS AND VEGETABLES Summer Crops: How to Grow Beans

By Marianne Lipanovich

Grow your own beans for amazing variety and healthy, convenient produce all summer

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Easy Edibles for First-Time Gardeners

By Marianne Lipanovich

Focus on these beginner-friendly vegetables, herbs, beans and salad greens to start a home farm with little fuss

LANDSCAPE DESIGN See 5 Unexpected Ways to Use Vines

By Falon Mihalic

Vines can grow over slopes, trail off pergolas and add seasonal color to the garden

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 10 Fun Features to Bring Your Landscape to Life

By Laura Gaskill

Give gnomes a home, create a magical portal or add another unexpected element to turn your garden into a destination

FARM YOUR YARD Houzz Call: Home Farmers, Show Us Your Edible Gardens

By Stacy Briscoe

We want to see where your tomatoes, summer squashes and beautiful berries are growing this summer

GARDENING GUIDES Attract Hummingbirds and Bees With These Beautiful Summer Flowers

By Annie Thornton

Roll out a welcome mat for pollinators to keep your landscape in balance and thriving

EDIBLE GARDENS How to Cultivate a Young Gardener

By Alison Hodgson

Want your kids to eat their vegetables? Let them have an edible garden of their own. Here are some tips on gardening with children

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Reasons to Love Vertical Gardens

By Laura Gaskill

Boring patios and lackluster views, begone!

GARDENING GUIDES 8 Flowers That Hummingbirds Adore

To draw those mesmerizing little birds to your garden or doorstep, plant these flowers that are attractive in more ways than one

FARM YOUR YARD Houzz Call: Show Us Your One-of-a-Kind Chicken Coops

By Annie Thornton

Do you have a fun or stylish backyard shelter for your feathered friends? Post your pictures and stories in the Comments!

Sponsored

More Discussions

gave my garlic a haircut today

11

Ferry -Morse is garbage

14

Garden slug tip

3

Slug killer 1% Iron Phosphate vs. 5% Sodium Ferric?

2

How long do you harden off seedlings?

4