Runner bean 'Moonlight'

[John]

Has anyone tried this new variety from T&M. Its supposed to combine the best characteristics of the runner and french bean.
I've made two sowings at different times in root trainers and their germination has been extremely poor both times. The last time a few weeks ago only 4 out of 20 beans have produced anything. Also the plants seem to lack vigour and are slow to get going once in the ground. Other beans like 'Cobra' sown at the same time have done well so methinks this is a variety problem or duff seed.
I'd be pleased to hear from anyone whose has tried it. I don't think it will be be on my shopping list for next year.

John

[Nature's Babe]

Hi John, I grew one old variety, Wisley Magic, germination was excellent and they are vigorous, and growing well. When the drought ended and we got some rain I took advantage and planted some moonlight direct in the ground as a later crop, the surplus I planted in modules in case I needed to fill any gaps, just as well as there were gaps in both the direct and module sown moonlight seeds, not as poor as you experienced, but noticable gaps. Like you, so far I'm a bit disappointed in Moonlight, but I will reserve judgement till I see how they grow and crop.

[Beryl]

I have had to plant 3 times this year and only just finally have plants big enough to put out. I am not the only one on our site to have trouble this year and we have all come to the conclusion it is the pea and bean weevil that is causing the problem. They just show through and then get chomped off. (not slugs) It made no difference whether started off in the greenhouse or sown direct. However french beans are now cropping so I am happy to have late runners.

Beryl.

[Colin Miles]

The first batch of Moonlight I tried to germinate didn't do too well. So I tried again and had more success. Out in the garden it is appears to be doing as well as Enorma - both rather slow.

[oldherbaceous]

My first batch of Moonlight sown out of doors, kept getting chomped as they were coming through, but some managed to survive. The gaps were then filled with plants grown under cover.

They are now all doing well and will be ready to start picking in about a weeks time.

[Diane]

My Moonlights were started off in the greenhouse and planted out late May and are doing extremely well. Had the first picking yesterday and they are delicious. Well recommended.

[oldherbaceous]

Afternoon Diane, i'm pleased the moonlight beans are good and tasty, i was wondering if the taste might be lacking, since they are meant to be so good at setting beans.

Mine will be ready tomorrow.

[Nature's Babe]

Hi Diane, mine were late planted, but are looking healthy, so maybe a late (and from what you say) tasty crop. My Wisley Magic runners look very good and lots cheery red of flowers coming from quite low bees buzzing around them too so first year growing those hoping they taste as good as they look.

[John]

Thanks to you all for your replies.
The six plants that I finished up with are now romping away and catching up with other varieties. It's encouraging to hear that they are a tasty bean. Cook (aka DW) will have the final word as always on whether they are worth growing again next year.

John

[Colin Miles]

Went I moved from a large allotment type garden to a smaller, 'modern' garden, the one veg I always grew was runner beans. This was usually Enorma, but I did experiment. Similarly when I got an allotment. Since coming to Wales 6 years ago I have continued to experiment but have come back again to Enorma - simply because of it's reliability - good flavour too though not stringless. This year as previously posted, I am growing both Enorma and Moonlight. The latter wasn't too good at germination, and the weather here hasn't been that kind to them. However, they are now growing well and just beginning to set - well, Enorma is but Moonlight! But maybe it is too early to judge.

[Colin Miles]

After the early summer in May(!) here in South-West Wales July weather has been decidedly cooler and cloudier than normal and the later veg have all been a bit slow. But Enorma is setting well and much better than Moonlight. What I have noticed is that the bees head for the red flowers, not the white. Lack of nectar/pollen in the white flowers? Perhaps just as well it is self-setting, but it does look as though it is not that well-suited to our climate.

[Nature's Babe]

My wisley magic romped up the poles and is full of lovely red flowers,which attracted the bumble bees, they are setting into beans now, the moonlight are way behind just winding slowly up the canes no flowers yet...well hopefully we'll get a staggered crop.

[Ken65]

Trying Moonlight for first time this year (my seed was from Marshalls).
Germination was good sown in the open at the end of April.
Cropping well now, picking for about 10 days(15/16th July).
Beans are quite slender but good length.
Taste on a par with most others I've tried.
I prefer white flowers as the sparrows seem less interested in picking the flowers off.

Ken

[AJC]

I normally grow Enorma with one other variety that changes every year. This year I have not grown enorma choosing instead two self pollinating varieties. Firestorm from Marshals and Moonlight of ebay.

The Moonlight were about a week to ten days infront of the Firestorm and were setting fine, but the growth once set was dissapointing. They seem slow to grow and are curved with the longest bean I have picked being around 5".

Firestorm on the other hand once set, are romping away giving good straight beans up to 10" in length and when picked at less witdth than your thumb are completely stringless.

I have grown one of each variety up the same canes, A thought just struck me. Ebay seeds, perhaps not such a level test as I thought.

Next year I think it will be back to Enorma and perhaps Firestorm.

AJ

[Colin Miles]

My Moonlight is still effectively moonlighting. Celebration is somewhat better and I picked the first bean today! And I do have 3 squash on my 5 Crown Prince plants!! Things are looking up.