Monday, July 6, 2009

Help! My bush beans look more like pole beans

If you are wondering ‘why are my bush beans growing tall like pole beans?’ consider this advice…



Bush beans were developed from pole beans for greater ease of harvest. Sometimes, they can revert to some of the traits of their predecessors by stretching and getting a little lanky before settling into more of a compact bush habit. Environmental factors such as too little sunlight and soil that is too high in nitrogen can also create tall plants. Generally, bush beans should stay in range of 12″ to 24″ tall, depending on the variety. Though they are usually self-supporting, they could require staking if they are in a windy area, because of their shallow roots. If you find your bush beans are getting taller than you prefer, you can pinch off the top tip and that will encourage branching. Also, for compact plants, bush beans should always be planted directly in the ground. Seeds that are sown indoors often get leggy (from lack of sufficient light).

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