pole bean problem

Palmdale Steve 8/26/2011, 10:50 am

I live in the high desert part of the Los Angeles county/ZONE10/ and planted KENTUCKY WONDER pole beans this spring. It was a mild spring this year and did not get hot until Memorial Day. I got great vine growth but few beans. I garden organically every year and use compost and wood ashes in all my raised beds so what is my solution? Does anybody know of a pole bean that grows well in my area? Palmdale Steve

**camprn** 8/26/2011, 1:46 pm

I am curious, when did you plant the beans? Are you seeing blossoms and bees?
Oh, pole bean problem 396615

to the SFG Forum!

Denese 8/26/2011, 1:57 pm

I planted Kentucky Blue's in early June, and I'm just now getting beans, finally. LOTS of growth but no blossoms till the last couple weeks. I've picked a handful, but now there's lots more blossoms developing, so hopefully I'll be getting more.

**llama momma** 8/26/2011, 1:58 pm

Kentucky Wonder was not successful here in Central Ohio either. Feeling unskilled at the time with sfg so I even used a bean innoculant. I've had 4 richly colored green plants with many blossoms that trellised over 4 ft tall with a total harvest of 3 beans. Going to pull it all out. Last year's broccoli was in that square, did that matter? I don't know as I refilled with compost before the beans went in. Just one of those things I guess!

**camprn** 8/26/2011, 2:02 pm

if you had blooms there should have been beans. That sounds like a lack of pollination to me. Sad

Mamachibi 8/26/2011, 2:33 pm

It gets scorching hot and dry in the high desert. I would start beans sooner (April/May) and let them enjoy the warm weather (May/June) before it gets scorching (July/Aug). I've heard bush beans can be better suited to 100° weather than pole beans. Not sure why.

milaneyjane 8/26/2011, 11:26 pm

I have had fabulous luck with Kentucky Wonder pole beans the last two years. I was a little worried mid summer when they weren't doing so good during the heat of the summer. We have cooled and they are going gangbuster. Tonight I just picked and entire paper grocery bag full to the top! They definately like it cooler.

Chopper 8/27/2011, 2:33 am

I am near Temecula and I did not plant them this year but last year I believe I remember making a mental note never to plant them again. Last year stayed mild longer and never had this sustained heat like now but I have better lick with every other variety I planted. May be a wonder in Kentucky, but not so much here.

Palmdale Steve 8/27/2011, 11:14 am

To camprn. Ihave two large palos verde trees which produce a tremendous amount of yellow blossoms each year which are covered with bees as well as a huge rosemary bush which does likewise. I can not plant my beans until mid April because we still get frosts up until this time. I did not have a lot of blossoms on my beans.I start my beans inside my greenhouse in March and then into the ground using a farmers almanac for the best planting time.

Denese 8/27/2011, 12:16 pm

I just spent the last 2 hours "pruning" the larger leaves from my pole beans. The interior wasn't getting any sun or air. There were lots of blossom buds inside, so maybe they'll actually have a chance now. I've never had so much green. Some of the leaves were at least 5 inches across! Shocked

There are still plenty of leaves left, but at least I can see through the vines a little now. Very Happy

I also found a handful of beans I hadn't seen because of all the foliage.

I'll let you know if it helps.

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