"Fran" writes:
"Steve" wrote in message wrote

While we're on the subject of Scarlet Runner Beans...
(snip)
I'm writing because I read that these runner beans actually produce a
tuber and would be perennial where the ground doesn't freeze. I believe
I read that these tubers could be saved and replanted in the spring to
produce a faster growing plant next year compared to starting over from
seed.

They are also called Seven Year Beans. They are perennial but I don't know
if from a tuber or not and I wouldn't dig one up as they are simply left in
the same place and come up again the next year. As you say, this applies to
where the ground doesn't freeze, but they are also a better cold climate
bean than the French Bush bean.

My parents have been growing scarlet runners for about 35 years. In Winter
the plants die down to ground level, and come up again each year. Well,
there does seem to be a bit of a loss, with 1 or 2 out of 10 failing to
re-emerge. These can be replaced by planting a few seeds where gaps become
apparent.

In a hot climate, they flower but fruit does not set until the worst of
the mid-summer heat abates. I found that watering them morning and evening
would encourage fruit set. It's amazing with the ground always wet that
there are not problems with root rot, but the soil there is very sandy and
drains well. I also put some water-retaining crystals near the roots in
an attempt to reduce the need for constant watering. As other posters
have pointed out, they really are are a cool-climate plant.

They are so-named because of the bright red flowers, but even hardier
and better bearing are the white-flowered variety. The beans are
indentical, just that their flowers are white. Scarlet runner beans don't
have the flavour of, for example, Blue Lake, but my Mum keeps growing the
scarlet runners because they bear just at a time when the dwarf beans are
finishing. Also, she gives a lot away to neighbours and some of them
actually prefer the flavour of the scarlet runners.
--
John Savage (news address invalid; keep news replies in newsgroup)