[mdjlucan]

my runner beans are at the top off the 8 foot canes and steel going do i just leave them or wot thanks

[lucywil]

some people pinch the tops out, i don't but mainly because i cant reach! oicked my first runners of the year on sunday, they were good!

[sunshineband]

I just let mine get on with it and they keep on cropping 

Only drawback is they can double down over the existing row and if you have planned for some succession the later lot get a bit covered over 

[Aunt Sally]

I pinch them out which makes them bush out more lowere down.

[sunshineband]

I pinch them out which makes them bush out more lowere down.

Snails helped me with this , this year 

[JayG]

Were mine tall enough (ahem!  )  to consider pinching out the growing tip I probably would, especially if grown on the traditional inverted "V" canes, which tend to get a bit congested at the top as it is.

[Kleftiwallah]

When the bean reaches the top of the cane, I flick the growing point off with a well aimed cane.    Cheers,   Tony.

[RichardA]

tip pincher as well

[DD.]

I've never pinched out and often had a flush of a second crop when you think it's all over.

[Spana]

I dont pinch out, just let the go .

 I have a permanent Munty frame made from scaffolding poles so the have a good 16 ft of run before they get to  the end of the line 

[veggirl]

I don't pinch out 'cos at 5' nothin much, I can't reach the top! The beans don't seem to mind and just curl around.

[Yorkie]

I don't pinch out 'cos at 5' nothin much, I can't reach the top! The beans don't seem to mind and just curl around.

I'm much the same height and I've learnt my lesson not to use 8' canes.  Had to get another committee member to help tie the canes at the top ... he did find it funny that the shortest member of the committee had got the tallest bean frame!

Also try putting your bean frame either in an X shape, or search on here for what is generally referred to as a Munty frame.  Both of these make it easier to reach the beans at the top of the frame and to pinch them out if desired!

[AnneB]

Thanks for the suggestions Yorkie, from another 5' 0" person....  I think I am going to have to rope in my son to pick the maincrop tall peas (Champion of England) when they get to full size, allegedly 8 to 10 foot, that's two of me!!!   

[Kajazy]

By the by - first time growning runner beans - is it normal for more than one growing stem to emerge? And is it supposed to climb up the same pole as the first one? Mine seem to be heading for their neighbours...

[DD.]

More than one runner is quite normal and as for climbing canes, they chose for themselves which one they like the look of.