Synergy and Aesthetics ?? Elfin and Scarlet Runner

BlackBear · October 16, 2015

Hi all ,

This year I tried in some container experiments ...

2.5 gallon container modules square raised up 2.5 ft .on another bed

I mixed scarlet runner beans with Elfin Tomatoes and they grew together

and helped support themselves . They grew up another 3 feet then were allowed to cascade back down the 3ft . + 3. 5 feet of raised container for about 9.5 feet of vine total .

They seemed to get enough air , sunlight and they supported each other ..

They seemed to compliment each other with yellow and red blossoms and
green bean fruit and red grape fruit . They are still looking healthy ..but reduced

crop of course this time of year . Overall quite a productive situation.

Anybody else have experience with combining vine crops that seem to help each other ??

I am thinking it would be neat to have a container with a mixture of

bean colours (purple variety w white blossoms and green w red blossoms ) with the red grape tomato shape vine and a yellow grape ........

maybe even with differing foliage to make an interesting vine cascade .

maybe 2 beans and 2 tomato vines is to much ....but it would be interesting .....

anyway the scarlet runner and Elfin cascade worked very well !

habitat_gardener · October 17, 2015

My scarlet runner vine is a monster! This is the fourth or fifth year it has come back from the root. I don't purposely plant anything too close to it, but this year one of the red kuri squash vines wandered into the runner bean jungle and emerged on the other side.

BlackBear · October 17, 2015

yes the scarlet runner is normally a monster but I containerized it with elfin and .....and

it seemed to hold back the monster bean a tad and enhance the grape tomato ....

both seemed very healthy .....

habitat_gardener · October 18, 2015

I will try that if I get around to planting beans next year! With all the work involved in getting a backyard greenhouse built and in use, plus building garden beds at a new place, all I managed to do this summer was a few (ok, 70 in the ground and a dozen or two in containers) tomato plants, and some neglected cucurbits that didn't produce a whole lot.

BlackBear · October 18, 2015

I have had a few observations and musings this year ...as a gardener ....I really liked the health of the vines that were allowed to grow "Up and over " and hang down lower than the raised container ....like a sort of variant of a hanging basket effect (more air and sun).

I think it would be cool idea to graft a yellow pygmy or morning sun Tomato (at a petiole) to an elfin or a Juliet and try this again .......

October 16, 2015	#1
BlackBear Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2015 Location: Nanaimo , BC Posts: 961	Synergy and Aesthetics ?? Elfin and Scarlet Runner Hi all , This year I tried in some container experiments ... 2.5 gallon container modules square raised up 2.5 ft .on another bed I mixed scarlet runner beans with Elfin Tomatoes and they grew together and helped support themselves . They grew up another 3 feet then were allowed to cascade back down the 3ft . + 3. 5 feet of raised container for about 9.5 feet of vine total . They seemed to get enough air , sunlight and they supported each other .. They seemed to compliment each other with yellow and red blossoms and green bean fruit and red grape fruit . They are still looking healthy ..but reduced crop of course this time of year . Overall quite a productive situation. Anybody else have experience with combining vine crops that seem to help each other ?? I am thinking it would be neat to have a container with a mixture of bean colours (purple variety w white blossoms and green w red blossoms ) with the red grape tomato shape vine and a yellow grape ........ maybe even with differing foliage to make an interesting vine cascade . maybe 2 beans and 2 tomato vines is to much ....but it would be interesting ..... anyway the scarlet runner and Elfin cascade worked very well ! __________________ So Many Tomatoes ...So Little Time !

October 17, 2015	#3
BlackBear Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2015 Location: Nanaimo , BC Posts: 961	yes the scarlet runner is normally a monster but I containerized it with elfin and .....and it seemed to hold back the monster bean a tad and enhance the grape tomato .... both seemed very healthy ..... __________________ So Many Tomatoes ...So Little Time !

October 18, 2015	#5
BlackBear Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2015 Location: Nanaimo , BC Posts: 961	I have had a few observations and musings this year ...as a gardener ....I really liked the health of the vines that were allowed to grow "Up and over " and hang down lower than the raised container ....like a sort of variant of a hanging basket effect (more air and sun). I think it would be cool idea to graft a yellow pygmy or morning sun Tomato (at a petiole) to an elfin or a Juliet and try this again ....... __________________ So Many Tomatoes ...So Little Time !

October 17, 2015	#2
habitat_gardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: California Central Valley Posts: 2,543	My scarlet runner vine is a monster! This is the fourth or fifth year it has come back from the root. I don't purposely plant anything too close to it, but this year one of the red kuri squash vines wandered into the runner bean jungle and emerged on the other side.