Cobra French Bean Seeds
[60 days] One of the most reliable French climbing beans, Cobra is a quick-growing pole bean that produces a huge amount of green, stringless pods that taste amazing. The vines grow to about 180cm (6ft) and begin producing long before most other varieties.
Disease-resistant (BCMV race 1), beautiful, and prolific—what’s not to love? Eat them raw or cook them lightly. They also can and freeze well (which is good, because you’re going to have a lot of them.) Pick young for best flavour. Keep picking for a long, continuous harvest.
An RHS Garden Merit Award winner.
Height: 180cm (6’). Spread: 30cm (1’)
Common Questions
Can you grow Cobra French beans in grow bags? Yes, you can grow your French Beans in grow bags, this isn't a good idea though as your plants need a lot of compost when being watered often. Once your French Beans are fully grown you will find that your grow bags won't offer the support needed.
How much space do you need between each Cobra plant? You can plant your Cobra pole beans in 4 to 6 inches apart in rows that are 34 inches apart for maximum root stablity that offers growth. If you want to plant more seeds in one position you can use a method called hill planting - plant your Cobra French beans in groups of 4 to 6 seeds per hill and leave a space of 30 inches between each hill.
How high will my Cobra French beans grow? Cobra's climbing vines can reach heights of 10 to 15 feet when there is enough support. To efficiently support your pole beans you will need trellis or staking.
FAQs
Once climbing beans reach the top of their support, cut off any extra growth. This should encourage side-shoots lower down, keep the crop within reach and help to stop plants becoming top-heavy. Tie in any shoots that come loose from the canes, especially in windy sites.
What is the best climbing French bean to grow? ›
Cobra French Bean Seeds
[60 days] One of the most reliable French climbing beans, Cobra is a quick-growing pole bean that produces a huge amount of green, stringless pods that taste amazing. The vines grow to about 180cm (6ft) and begin producing long before most other varieties.
When to sow climbing French bean cobra? ›
Growing Instructions: Sow three seeds to a 15cm pot in mid-April and keep well watered and warm until germination. Keep seedlings in a frost-free greenhouse or on a windowsill, potting them on as they grow, and once all threat of frost has passed harden off gradually before planting out.
Do French beans like sun or shade? ›
French beans will grow well in sandy, clayey, or medium soils. They prefer neutral or neutral-alkaline soil, which should be moist but well-drained. They enjoy full sun, but will tolerate shade as long as it is warm.
What is the best fertilizer for French beans? ›
WATERING, FEEDING AND CARE OF FRENCH BEANS
As far as feeding goes add a handful of fish, blood and bone fertiliser in mid-June. If you want to apply any liquid fertiliser then tomato feed every fortnight is best, this will help the plants to crop well but is not essential.
How long do French bean seeds take to germinate? ›
The seeds should germinate in 7 - 14 days and will grow quickly. Plants that have been raised indoors will need to get used to the outdoor temperature and conditions before they can be planted outside, this will take about a week to 10 days depending on the weather.
How many climbing beans to plant? ›
I set the poles 24 inches apart and sow four to six beans per pole. I usually like to run some slender poles horizontally tied near the top of each vertical pole about 6 feet above the ground. This strengthens the whole array and also allows the beans to run laterally from pole to pole.
How deep to plant snake beans seeds? ›
Sow 25mm (1”) deep in dark damp soil and 10-15cm (4-6”) apart. Germination is slightly slower than other beans and plants can remain fairly small until hot weather arrives. Remove weeds regularly and water well during dry periods. Easy to sow in most cultivated soils and needs a sunny position.
Why are my climbing French beans dying? ›
Phaseolus beans can be affected by a fungal disease called rust. Heavy attacks may reduce plant vigour and hence yield but, thankfully, the attack often develops too late to have a serious effect. Runner and French bean rust - white spore pustules are the first to appear.
Why do my French bean seeds rot? ›
Temperature is the crucial factor. Best practice is only to sow when the soil temperature (and that includes pots/modules) is above 50F/10C. Colder and even good viable seed can rot, or at best struggle.
It could be that the soil conditions were not conducive to seed germination. If there was too much moisture in the soil, the seeds may have rotted. If there was not enough moisture in the soil, the seeds could have begun germinating but then died because of a lack of water.
Should you pinch out runner beans? ›
Pinch out the growing tips of the plants once the stems reach the top of their canes. This diverts their energy into producing beans rather than growing tall.
Should pole beans be pinched? ›
Quick tip – once the beans reach the top of their supports, just take a moment to cut off, or 'pinch out' the growing points to stop them climbing any further.
Do green beans need something to climb on? ›
Bush beans grow compactly (reaching about two feet tall) and do not require extra support from a structure like a trellis. Pole beans, aka climbing beans, grow as climbing vines that may reach 10 to 15 feet tall and require a trellis or staking.
Why do you pinch out broad beans? ›
If you live in a cold area, have heavy soil or a problem with mice, sow seeds under cover first, and plant the young plants out six weeks later. Pinch out the tips of plants to prevent blackfly, and stake taller varieties to stop them collapsing under the weight of the beans.
