Long Beans Question

14 years ago

Hi all,

For the first time this year I am growing some of the so-called "yard long beans".

I planted them directly outside, in 3 differen locations, Way back in May. First, It took a looong time to germinate. Then some not so long time to grow vine.

Now they have vines longer than 15 feet, growing on treliss , trees, brushe,.. But so far I have not seen a single flower, never mind a bean. As I mentioned, I have them in 3 locations, one gets about 8 hours of sun, the other about 5-6 hours. I water them regularly. The leaves are very nice rich green color and the vines just keep growing and growing. I have two pole beans next to them that have been flowering and growing beans for more than a month now.

So, anybody out there can tell me about these long beans?

The variety that I planted had kidney bean-like seeds, i.e, red color.

Thanks for your input in nadvance.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (13)

solanum1
14 years ago
Some varieties of long beans are day-length sensitive... Maybe the one you chose is in that category. Anyway, not to worry, they should start flowering and fruiting very soon now!
cyrus_gardner
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks , solanum

AS I said the vines are very healthy. I wondered if they needed special care.
Related Discussions
Volunteer long beans - a few questions
Q
Comments (2)
Believe it or not, I've had yardlongs volunteer for me fairly often... which is surprising, given my cold winters and wet springs. Other Vignas (adzuki & mung) have occasionally volunteered as well. In contrast, Phaseolus beans never volunteer for me; I assume they just rot in the ground. Last year I had several volunteers for "Yancheng Bush". Unfortunately, the ones I tried to transplant didn't survive. But one of them was near the area where I had intended to plant them again, so I let it grow. It was by far the healthiest plant in the row, and produced a large amount of seed. I'm not sure if seed saved from the volunteers would be significantly different from the original seed. To select for a trait, it has to be there in the first place... and since beans are self-pollinating, they tend to have a narrow genetic base. This is especially true if, at some point along the way, seed was saved from a single plant. However, it certainly wouldn't hurt to try. At the very least, the plants may be healthier, and produce larger, more viable seed. If you grew more than one long bean & the different varieties crossed, who knows? You might get something new.
...See More
Yard long beans for dilly beans?
Q
Comments (1)
Apparently no one here has tried that. I think it's a good idea. Yard longs will have a different flavor than common beans but I see no reason they could not be tasty, depending on how you flavor them. I would make them spicy. Jim
...See More
Long bean and lima bean volunteers - observations and questions..
Q
Comments (3)
I can't really comment on the Orient Wonder long beans, since I have never even heard of them. But the BJBB's will be true and I think the Orient Wonder long beans most likely will. I think that almost all bean types are open pollinated, not hybrids.
...See More
Wanted; Yard long beans or specialty beans
Q
Comments (1)
I may have a few soon. Only had enough to seed save this year. Send me an email.
...See More
whgille
14 years ago
Hi cyrus
I planted this summer 2 kinds of yard long, the red noodle and the green.
Both have been very good producers, all I did was planted them in a raised bed. They are in different places and are still producing.
Silvia

{{gwi:388188}}
cyrus_gardner
Original Author
14 years ago
That is beautiful garden, Silvia.
Evrtything in there looks in tip top shape. And I can see your long beans with purplish flowers and some beans too.
I have a good news to report(for myself?!). Today I saw the very first bud on one of my long beans. Probably it will open by tomorrow. We will see.
The variety That I have is marketed by "ferry Morse". The chines nam is "Dow Gauk".It is still hot around here. Todays high was about 95F.So I am hopefull to harvest some long beans.
The package says: days to harvest >>> 67 day. I don't believe that. Anyway, the thrill is on.
whgille
14 years ago
Thank you Cyrus, the red noodle variety has better production than the green one, for me this season.

I saved seeds from both varieties, if you like I can send you some. Send me your address to my email.

And I hope you have a good harvest!

Silvia
cyrus_gardner
Original Author
14 years ago
Than you silvia for your offer. I appreciate it.
I will get in touch via email to arrange for some seeds exchange.
I will see what I have in my seed department then to reciprocate your kindness.
Gourds, cucumber, zukes,(scalopinie,...), korean melons, dills, Thai basil(stil growing)..., Hyacinth pole beans, passiflora incarnata...

Cyrus
mauirose
14 years ago
Sylvia your beautiful bean leaves are making me green with envy!

i planted some red noodle for the first time this year. They sprouted around the same time as the cowpeas and produced beans just a little bit earlier. they are growing up a 6 foot trellis but the first beans appeared low on the vines well before they reached the top of the trellis.

Cyrus-could your beans be enjoying too much nitrogren? if not then it sounds like you should surely try a different variety.

Here is a picture of my beans:
{{gwi:388193}}

{{gwi:388196}}

Can you see that they suffer terribly from powdery mildew? Cowpeas are getting hammered too. No wonder i covet Sylvia's leaves!
whgille
14 years ago
Cyrus
Looking forward to hear from you, I also think that it may be the variety, that is not producing well.

Mauirose
I am sorry about your leaves, maybe your zone is more humid than mine. I am in zone 9b. I also use Serenade as a preventative, not a cure.

Silvia
cyrus_gardner
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks mauirose and silvia

I have good news. I have seen several beans way up there.
This bean's flowers are tiny white/yellow that is hard to detect. I was looking for some bright color flowers.
Now it seems that more flowers are gettin ready.

As I have said, too much nitrogen could not be the problem because I have them in 5 different locations. The ones that are fruiting now are the ones I have paid the most attention. In another location it is growing with cypress vine, Hyacinth pole beans, passiflora incarnata, trrumpet vine. Almost all of the rest in the gang have been flowering, exept for the trumpet vines which are very young.

I think, as suggested, there might be a connection with the duration of daylight.

O' Powder mildew on beans???
I have that problem with cukes, squash, melon, gourds(cucurbita). But I keep them at check point. I use neem oil and daconill (on gourds)

cyrus
cyrus_gardner
Original Author
14 years ago
Today I picked my first long bean. It was still very slim, maybe 1/3 thicness of a pencil an measured 17 inches long.
The texture and flavor was better than any green beans I have tasted. Maybe I am biased!!!
So, if I let them to get close to pencil thickness, they ma be much longer.How long???

cyrus
whgille
14 years ago
Hi Cyrus
You can eat the beans when very young raw in salads. When thicker you can stir fry. If use later, and when you can see the bean, you can cook the bean or save the seeds.
I like to pick them this size

{{gwi:133281}}

Enjoy your harvest!

Silvia
cyrus_gardner
Original Author
14 years ago
Wow, Silvia!! That is some harvest. I like the purple ones too. I like them raw, stir fried. I will also cook them with spaghetti. Maybe I'll saute a bit and then add to spaghetti. Well, I have to wait for now. I have seen only 4 more of them up there.

cyrus
dancinglemons
14 years ago
Hello long bean fans,

I am growing long beans for the second year. I have a post on the bean forum that I wish someone would -- let me know if this growth habit is normal. Below is the link.

I use Serenade and GreenCure on my long bean plants to prevent the mildews. Both are organic.

Thanks in advance,
DL

Here is a link that might be useful: Long Bean Plants regenerated