Does any one know of a variety of runner bean to grow in a poly tunnel?
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Do you really need to use a poly tunnel?
Most runner beans grow very easily and very well outdoors in the open air where the bees can reach them. They climb readily up support canes and you can restrict their growth by nipping off the top growing shoot once they have reached a height you are happy with. I tend to look for varieties that are stringless as I find these more tender to eat.
They need planting in rich soil in a sunny position and will need watering in hot weather, but on the whole, runner beans are one of the easiest garden veg to grow, provided there are plenty of bees around for pollination - which might be a problem in a tunnel.
Butler -1.8m (6ft) - Stringless, fleshy pods, OK for freezing, NIAB approved
Painted Lady -1.8m (6ft) - Good crop, striking two-tone red and white flowers.
Pickwick - 30cm (1 ft) -Dwarf self supporting variety - the easiest to grow.
Put dont forget-Pollination
Flowers need bees (mainly honey and bumble) to pollinate the flowers. Cold, windy weather deters bees, so position plants in a sheltered site. Runner bean nectar is not very rich in sugars, and bee numbers visiting runner beans often increases after July, when more attractive mid-summer nectar sources, such as brambles, lime trees and clovers, have finished flowering.
Short-tongued bumblebees cannot reach nectar from the front of the flower, and so bite a hole in the flower base to gain access. This allows bees to get at the nectar but, because they do not come into contact with the reproductive parts of the flower, such bees play no part in pollination. There is no way to prevent this but sufficient bees usually visit the flowers in the conventional way for a good crop if other factors, such as water availability and temperatures are favourable.
This is all i can think off.
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