[Dantheman]

Hi guys need to prick your brains, i want to make a wigwham out of runner beans the space i have to grow them is a little small 2 1/2' x 2 1/2' what would be the safest amount to fit into this space?

 

[DD.]

I'd do a block of 3 x 3 canes, with 2 plants at each station.

Just bear in mind that it'll get crowed at the top.

[Dantheman]

thanks sounds like a plan i think, i love the site so helpful 

[Ivor Backache]

They need to be about 9" apart.
Start some off in a cold frame and plant out after the frosts have gone. Thereafter sow a second seed so that the two plants are staggered.
Instead of tying the poles together at the top, think about them pointing outwards, like an inverted wigwam. Less crowded and I usually get a better crop from the top half than the bottom.

[JayG]

I'm not a fan of either wigwam or "inverted V" formations for the reason DD mentioned (plus the beans tend to hang down towards the inside of the structure and are hard to see/reach.)

This of course is why the Munty frame works so well, but Dantheman hasn't got room for one of those so I'd suggest the "X" arrangement, by crossing the canes a bit more than half way up and tying in a horizontal cane where the diagonals cross to strengthen it.

No congestion, and much better access to the beans, but you do need strong canes as there is a fair bit of unsupported weight to carry (depending on how low they cross.)

If you think your canes might not be strong enough for that you could set them vertically, tie in short horizontal pieces of cane to connect them near the top, and I would suggest a strong stake bound to one of the uprights to help stability in windy conditions.

[Aunt Sally]

You can get a good crop on a wigwam even in the smallest of spaces. 

[shoozie]

You can get a good crop on a wigwam even in the smallest of spaces. 

That looks a perfect solution for us Aunt Sally - could you explain a little about the set up please?

[Aunt Sally]

Tub, compost, 8ft canes, a ring around the top to fix the canes to, plenty of water and feed like tomatoes.

[TheSpartacat]

You can get a good crop on a wigwam even in the smallest of spaces. 

Very pretty Aunt Sally... I'm thinking i'd quite like one of these set ups on the patio to go with my edible hanging baskets. Runner flowers are so pretty!
Wonder would it work with tall sugar snaps? (having to tie them in of course) It might be the only way i can manage to get a pea crop home- though there is the danger of just munching them on the patio 

[Auntiemogs]

Thank you for the photo Aunt Sally.  That would be perfect for my mangetout and sugarsnaps. 

[JayG]

Tub, compost, 8ft canes, a ring around the top to fix the canes to, plenty of water and feed like tomatoes.

Great set-up, great result, but not what I think of as a wigwam - the canes are almost vertical! 

[shoozie]

Tub, compost, 8ft canes, a ring around the top to fix the canes to, plenty of water and feed like tomatoes.

Thanks for that - will give this a try 

[mumofstig]

Tub, compost, 8ft canes, a ring around the top to fix the canes to, plenty of water and feed like tomatoes.

Great set-up, great result, but not what I think of as a wigwam - the canes are almost vertical! 

Now who's being pedantic   

[Aunt Sally]

 

Unlike North American 1st nation peoples, runner beans need a lot of headroom

[Dantheman]

thanks going to give them a go i think