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Post by aufin on Jan 22, 2018 20:38:23 GMT -5
Have a couple rows of bush string beans I picked from early September till the cooler weather stopped their production. The overnight freezing temps worked on them pretty good. Looked at them a few days ago and noticed some new growth near the bottom so I cut all of them back to 3-4 inch stubs. Wondering now if it's worth the effort to let them keep growing. Is there a chance the plants might produce again when springtime shows up?
They're not in the ground. They are in a covered sand based aquaponic system. Not a greenhouse, but a corrugated clear plastic weather shield over the top with open sides all around.
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Post by philagardener on Jan 23, 2018 6:07:45 GMT -5
Interesting - where are you growing and what have your coldest temperatures been this winter, aufin ? A number of beans, runners in particular, can be perennial in mild climates but I don't usually think of bush bean behaving this way. |
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Post by oxbowfarm on Jan 23, 2018 8:45:12 GMT -5
Possibly the thermal mass of the water kept the roots and lower stems from freezing? Are you still running the system? I'd say the plant was still in vegetative growth stage so the parts not frost bitten are still hanging on, I don't think there is any perennial versions of common P. vulgaris.
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Post by aufin on Jan 23, 2018 9:01:34 GMT -5
I'm in lakeland, the gulf coast area of central Florida. Havent felt the need to investigate the mean temperatures around here since this is a small hobby garden. Freezing temperatures around here are not common. If the temps do reach freezing, it's usually for just a few hours at night. The days usually warm up to a comfortable light jacket or long sleeve shirt level.
Curious about the beans because my AP system relies on plant activity in the beds to help regulate the water Ph, and since they have an established root system, why not keep them. And, maybe I'll get a jump on next season's crop. Win, win ..... that is if these plants will produce again like they did their first time around. Oh yeah, the bean variety is Landreth. Picked up the seed packets at a local big box.
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Post by aufin on Jan 23, 2018 10:30:30 GMT -5
Possibly the thermal mass of the water kept the roots and lower stems from freezing? Are you still running the system? I'd say the plant was still in vegetative growth stage so the parts not frost bitten are still hanging on, I don't think there is any perennial versions of common P. vulgaris. Yep, operates continuously year round. The perennial issue isnt a matter of necessity, I'm just curious. If it works, ok, if not, oh well, I've learned something. In the past I've always pulled them up and replanted something else more appropriate to to the season. What might I expect if they're left to continue on? |
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