Plant Care - Tips for Growing Pole Beans | Hydroponics Equipment

Pole Bean - Plant Care

Pole beans are a favorite amongst many farmers, hobbyist gardeners and hydroponic growers. If provided with adequate amount of nutrients, water, light, and proper plant care, then you can get green, tall and healthy pole beans.

To grow pole beans, follow the steps mentioned below:

Preparation of site: Pole beans tend to grow vertically and thus you will need climb up poles or homemade teepees to support their growth. Select site in such a way that teepees do not block the light from reaching other smaller plants in your garden or grow room. Soil is to be tilled well and raked smooth before planting pole beans.

Selection and plantation of poles : Poles on which you want to grow beans should be of one to two inch in diameter and should have rough surfaces. If you wish to go for a less costly option, then teepees style supports are great for your plants. However, avoid using fencing wire or other horizontal wires as they tend to cause the vines to get tangled with each other and this affects their growth. Place the poles such that group of four poles point inwards (to form a cone). Use a twine to bind the poles together where they intersect.

Sowing Seeds: Once the poles are placed properly, sow six to seven seeds around each pole. Do not over-crowd the soil patch in the greed of getting more and more vines because they need enough space to climb up. Once you have sowed all the seeds, cover them with an inch thick layer of soil.

Plant Care: Like any other plant, beans too require gentle care. Provide them with fertilizers externally if required. However, do not over fertilize the plants, especially with nitrogen rich fertilizers because in such cases the plants just grow tall without bearing any produce. Beans grow exceptionally when soil/hydroponic media are rich in organic nutrients. Keep watering your plants at regular intervals. In case of pest infestation use appropriate pesticide and take care that your plants get enough light.

Harvest: Pole beans usually mature in 60 to 90 days. Once the beans are fully grown and ripe, it is time to harvest them. Best way is to harvest them with hands. Make sure you do not rip out or disturb any vines in the harvesting process.

Pole beans require a good set-up for them to grow healthily. Proper plant care and attention towards minor details like avoiding straying of vines, provision of light, removing damaged and yellowed leaves etc will give you, healthy pole beans.