Climbing Bean - Cobra
This variety produces massive crops of mid green, smooth, round, stringless pods about 18cm long. It is a highly attractive mauve flowered variety, a delight in the border, and features an exceptional flavour. It produces huge yields of these flavoursome beans over a long cropping season. These seeds are in the RHS Vegetable Collection.
Sow from mid April in pots indoors, and then plant out from end May. Alternatively, sow from early May - July outdoors, or in March for protected growing in a greenhouse/polytunnel. Sow 4-5cm deep in a well prepared soil. It is best to erect supports before planting. Allow 2 plants per pole placed at 15-20cm apart as a structure or grow up netting or a 4 cane wigwam. Allow about 1 metre between wigwams. Water copiously during dry weather, particularly when flowers are forming, as roots must never be allowed to dry out. Mulch heavily with compost/grass cuttings. Pinch out once plants have reached the tops of supports.