60-70 days. Annual. The scarlet runner is a visually stunning vine plant that produces beans, as well as small, red, heart-shaped flowers. The rate at which these vines grow is impressive; they can get up to twenty feet in length in a single season! With the vines and flowers being a breathtaking addition to your garden, the beans can be harvested and consumed after cooking, making these vines both beautiful and productive. Also known as Scarlet conqueror, fire bean, mammoth, red giant, scarlet emperor & white dutch runner. Their abundant red, pink, or bicolor blooms are attractive to hummingbirds, and this plant is often used as an ornamental. Pods have a rich, delicious flavor, and should be picked when fairly short, between four and six inches, and used as snap beans. Once the pods become too tough for snap bean use, the immature seed can be shelled out, or allowed to mature and dry. Dried runner bean seed can be cooked like dried common bean seed.
Growing Scarlet Runner Seeds
- Latin Name: Phaseolus coccineus
- Other Names: Scarlet Runners
- Days to Maturity: 60-70 days
- Hardiness Zone: 3-9
- Planting Depth: 2"
- Plant Spacing: 12"
- Row Spacing: 18"
- Growth Habit: Mound/Bush
- Soil Preference: Well drained, 6 to 7 ph level
- Temp Preference: Warmer
- Light Preference: Full sun is required.
- Pests/diseases: Birds can peck at the vines and beans
- Color: red
- Flavor: Nutty flavor with a creamy texture.
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Seeds Per Package:
- 1 lb - Approximately 1,600 Seeds
- 5 lb - Approximately 8,000 Seeds
- 25 lb - Approximately 40,000 Seeds
These seeds can be sown indoors by placing them two inches deep in potted soil, and transplanted outside after seven to ten weeks, when the threat of frost has passed. Conversely, you may sow them directly outdoors by placing them two inches deep in the soil, twelve inches apart, and with eighteen inches between rows. Because these seeds will grow in a vine, they will need a support, such as a cane or frame. Ideally, these will be in place at the time of germination; however, you should still find success if the support is put in place shortly after. Regular watering is required, and these vines will grow to impressive lengths in a relatively brief period of time.
10-foot vines are covered in attractive red blossoms borne in clusters. The more you pick, the more they produce. Most should bear pods from late July and cropping of all types can continue until the first frosts, or longer if plants are protected. Runner beans are at their best when fresh, young and tender. They should be harvested when the pods are less than full length, snap easily and while the seeds are still small and pale in colour. Picking green beans often help to promote more growth and increase yields. As the pods get older they develop string and the pod-walls become more fibrous, with pronounced bumps on the surface indicating that the seeds are enlarging and that moisture is going into the seed from the pod.