Blue lake beans?

MarlinMark · 06-23-2006, 12:42 PM

I have some bamboo "teepee's" set up for my blue lake beans to climb up but, only one plant is actually climbing up the bamboo. All of the others (7 of 8) are just bushy. All of the plants are great looking and are producing beans but they aren't climbing. The bamboo comes down from the top and into the center of the plants. Any tips or clues?

Mark

JustCallMeDave · 06-23-2006, 12:52 PM

Were they planted from seeds, or purchased as starts?

MarlinMark · 06-23-2006, 12:53 PM

Here is pic of the beans. The one on the left is climbing. I have another "teepee" like this one and none of the plants are climbing.

Mark

MarlinMark · 06-23-2006, 12:53 PM

Purchased as starts. All together from the same flat and all of the plants look identical.

Mark

JustCallMeDave · 06-23-2006, 12:55 PM

Sounds like you ended up with some mismarked blue lake bushes instead. Just as good eating, but because they're small like that you won't get the yield.

Jennie@ifish · 06-23-2006, 12:57 PM

Wow! The coast is SO behind!!!! Mine are about 3 inches tall and have two leaves!!!!

You bring me some, and when yours are gone, I'll give you some of mine! :smile:

Chrome Bumper · 06-23-2006, 01:19 PM

Looks like you got some stray bush bean seed. You could plant some more and get a fall crop after the bush beans quit. Hillsboro has good soil and a nice microclimate for veggies. The soil gets warm enough for bean root growth fairly early. 20 miles away in Scappoose the soil temeratures are a few weeks later in the spring, but we don't need A/C in the summer either. Those look like some well fed bean plants there!

newdimensionseed

MarlinMark · 06-23-2006, 01:56 PM

Thanks for the compliments. I'm proud of the growth but a little bummed that they are not going to yield what I had hoped for. Oh well.

Thanks again,

Mark

Chrome Bumper · 06-23-2006, 02:44 PM

Don't give up! You can have a crop coming in in 45 days and it won't quit producing til mid Oct, in 100 days. Look up my wife's garden seeds which are in a store near you if you like. newdimensionseed.

Broadbeans like 55-90F weather, some beans are more temperate sensitive. Not the same shape as blue lake, but temperature tolerant, tasty and faster cooking.

Bush beans are kinda geared for machine harvest, grow a crop, and run the plant through a thresher.

Chrome Bumper · 06-23-2006, 02:55 PM

Jen

Black or clear plastic does a good job of warming soil up in the spring, so you can get an early start on planting tomatoes and other vegetables that like warm soil. It also keeps rain from cooling the soil. Our peppers really loved the black fabric stuff we used last year.

Sue's garden is doing good this year, I will have to post a brag pic soon.

fergy61 · 06-24-2006, 09:24 AM

My wife & I grow Blue Lake bush beans every year & get lots of yield from them. They keep producing clear into fall.

CB, What type of black fabric are you using? I wouldn't mind trying it.