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My runners are a real flop this year. How did you do?

ZeroZero1ZeroZero1 Posts: 577
in Fruit & veg
Despite watering regularly and plants over 8ft tall, my scarlet emperor crop is a compete flop. A couple of mouthfuls for 2 people. Lots of  flowers, but htey all drop off. Hardly any new flowers now

Am I alone?

Z
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  • pansyfacepansyface Posts: 21,586
    A very poor start due to the very high temperatures, I think.

    Since things have cooled down, the bees have shown more interest in the flowers and we have begun to see beans developing now.

    I grow mine in old plastic window boxes on a south facing wall. Lots of feeding and watering, twice a day. Plenty buds to come still.

    Sorry.😕
    Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
    If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 82,798
    We're growing Butler again ... only started picking a few days ago but they're doing well so far ... I've been keeping them really well watered through the hot dry spell.
    “I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh







  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 9,076
    Poor start during the dry period but kicking in nicely now. We won't have much surplus but they'll keep us fed. The last 2 years have gone badly for us so we're actually doing better than normal this year despitre the problems.
    Tradition is just peer pressure from dead people
  • ZeroZero1ZeroZero1 Posts: 577
    Dovefromabove said:
    We're growing Butler again ... only started picking a few days ago but they're doing well so far ... I've been keeping them really well watered through the hot dry spell.
    Are the Butler "stringless" as I have heard claimed. Never found a real stringless runner bean yet...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 82,798
    edited August 2018
    Not absolutely totally, but they certainly don't have that wide stringy membrane down the edge like a lot of other varieties do. We really like them ... very good flavour which for us is the most important thing ... I don't mind stringing the edges when prepping beans if the flavour is worth it. 
    “I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh







  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 30
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  • ZeroZero1ZeroZero1 Posts: 577
    I think I shall grow another variety next year, I grew St George, they cropped well but larger beans were stringy. Scarlet Emporer had a good taste so I stuck with them for a couple of years - but this year a disaster. 
    I am thinking Wisley Magic - but these need to be picked young and are stringy. Maybe I should go for the Butler? 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 82,798
    I used to grow Wisley Magic ... I rate them highly ... but when I couldn't get them one year I grew Butler ... even better and a bigger crop.

    But all runner beans need picking young ... I pick at least every other day at when the crops in full swing. 
    “I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh







  • ZeroZero1ZeroZero1 Posts: 577
    https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/PDFs/Plant-trials-and-awards/Plant-bulletins/runnerbeans.pdf

    A little old news, but Lady Di is apparently truly stringless
  • ZeroZero1ZeroZero1 Posts: 577
    Interesting views
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