By jessijordan
Aerogarden 3 - Green Beans
Submitted on Sun, 2009/03/08 - 7:19pm
Last updated on Thu, 2009/03/19 - 2:51pm
Posted in
On December 19, 2009 I planted green beans and their journey began here
Unfortunately, these babies didn't make it. I was only able to grow 2 out of the 3 plants and the 2 that did grow went through a very weird cycle of growing leaves that would turn brown & die. At 10 weeks, I retired them to the garbage because they did not produce even 1 bean 
AG sent me more and I planted them (after sanitizing) on Feb 28, 2009. I was a little clever this time. I took 1 seed out of each pod so that I wouldn't have to kill a perfectly good plant! So far 2 out of the 3 popped up right away. The 3rd one rotted & had to be replaced twice already! The latest replacement I did today. I dont know what the deal is but the 3rd time has got to be the charm.
Enjoy the slideshow or scroll down to see the larger pics...
(1 vote)
Sun, 2009/03/08 - 8:14pm
#2
I know that ooze u speak of. Its groooooosssss! I am just like your daughter. I loooooove green beans! I had some one in AG CS tell me that its hard to grow beans period, let alone in the AG3 but I'm hoping for a miracle!
Sun, 2009/03/08 - 8:42pm
#3
I think the AG3 / AG6 pods are too narrow - barely wider than the bean seed, and way too small for the gigantic bean leaves! But you have so many minis! You could probably just grow bush beans in a pot set between two minis, in regular potting mix.
I had the worst time last year getting beans to grow at my new condo. I grew them all the time at my old place, with never a problem. Turns out there's a bacterial symbiote they need on their roots, to fix nitrogen, that doesn't naturally fly up to 3rd floor balconies and burrow into fresh potting mix. 
But you can buy it along with the bean seeds and sprinkle it in - for this year I bought some from Park Seed. Doesn't really solve anything in the AG, though.
I don't think I wanna know what that ooze was - ick!
Sun, 2009/03/08 - 10:56pm
#4
P.S. In case you're ever looking for it, I should have mentioned that the "bean root bacteria" is called "inoculant".
Mon, 2009/03/09 - 12:51am
#5
inoculant? is that what the ooze is? is it a danger 2 my other 2 plants?
Mon, 2009/03/09 - 1:21am
#6
No, no! I don't know / want to know what the ooze is. 
"Inoculant" is the powdered bacteria you add to bean soil so that they have the root symbiotes to use nitrogen directly from the air. Most food crops take nitrogen out of the soil - it's most of what fertilizer is, putting nitrogen back in. Jointly with these bacteria, legumes actually fix nitrogen back into the soil. When grain fields are left fallow for a year between grain crops, they usually grow some kind of legumes to recharge the soil. Anyway - inoculant is those soil bacteria.
I'd be surprised if they were in an AG bean pod.
Mon, 2009/03/09 - 1:43am
#7
very interesting. and here I thought growing fruits & veggies was a simple as putting seeds in dirt, add water, sun & let grow.I have got a lot to learn! 
Mon, 2009/03/09 - 1:46am
#8
City girl. 
You can just put bean seeds in soil and grow them. They just grow much better with their little pals.
Mon, 2009/03/09 - 9:38am
#9
Gisette,
Excellent point about how beans take in nitrogen. I wonder if it is even possible for the bacteria to colonize on roots in an ag....
Beth
Mon, 2009/03/09 - 1:38pm
#10
Beth - dunno if they'd like the water environment.
Mon, 2009/03/09 - 3:45pm
#11
Update on the green beans!
The wires AG sends didnt work for me. I just couldn't get it to work right so I read somewhere that you can use bamboo chopsticks. I dont have any of those so I used a straw. I think it works nicely!
And today we have a root in the 3rd pod! Yay!!!!
Amazing since I just out it in there yesterday!
I noticed today that the plants roots aren't going into the pod sponge. Its like they are going up and around the top of them. (The last ones I tried to grow tried to grow into the sponge.)
Anyone out there know if this is ok? I mean I think it should be as long as they find a way to get water. Right?
Mon, 2009/03/09 - 3:50pm
#12
Cool! Be careful not to tie a stem too tightly to its support, though - it'll hurt the plant. Usually for tomatoes the best tie is a loose bit of used pantyhose.
If a root grows too fast and strong, sometimes it pushes out instead of going through the sponge. Could try pushing it down, I suppose, and make sure the root is headed downward...
Mon, 2009/03/09 - 4:04pm
#13
I tried not to tie it to tight. The part with the leaf on it was still flopping over so I just moved it up a little & thats what I got. Does it look too tight to you?
Also I made sure not roots were in the area on the side of the sponge where I placed the straw so they can grow around it.
Mon, 2009/03/09 - 4:34pm
#14
Looks like it might be, but I can't really tell, or tell what it's made of, so... It shouldn't be snug.
Mon, 2009/03/09 - 4:39pm
#15
Its a twist tie (like on bread). I just checked it again & I can spin the tie all the way around the plant very easily & there's even a bit of space. I think its ok.
Thu, 2009/03/12 - 1:25pm
#16
The third Green Bean pod I planted the other day is doing very well! I knew the third time was the charm!
The difference between yesterday (below) & today (above) is quite amazing!
Thu, 2009/03/12 - 2:02pm
#17
The "Jack and the Beanstalk" story makes a lot of sense, watching bean seedlings grow. 
Fri, 2009/03/13 - 6:44pm
#18
The baby is catching up to her big sisters!
Fri, 2009/03/13 - 6:52pm
#19
Looking good.
I'm watching this with interest - I don't know anyone who has done beans, it will be good to see the outcome.
Fri, 2009/03/13 - 6:53pm
#20
Sorry, double post - the site's a little slow with me tonight.
Sat, 2009/03/14 - 10:18pm
#21
These babies are doing good. I added support straws for the other two. I didn't tie the youngest/newest one. She's just standing up against it for now & everybody is happy.
Tue, 2009/03/17 - 2:07pm
#22
So what do we think of these lovely ladies?
The leaves are coming in pointy now. I hope this means flowers and then beans are not far behind!
Tue, 2009/03/17 - 4:41pm
#23
Those ladies are looking fine, first time I have seen beans in the AG. They have really come along since your original photo.
Tue, 2009/03/17 - 5:10pm
#24
Thanks Peat! We are having a great time over here! Supermarket? Who needs that?
It only takes 6 weeks to have beans and I looking forward to it. Only 3 weeks and 4 days to go... (we hope!) I bought some snow pea seeds at Big Lots yesterday & will plant them tomorrow when I pick up the Miracle Grow Veggie Potting Mix & Inoculant.
I looooooove snow peas 2! I read up them last night & it just so happens that it used to be a tradition to plant snow peas on St Patty's day. I'll be a day late but its ok... I'm only 1/16th Irish anyway! 
Tue, 2009/03/17 - 5:23pm
#25
Where are they being planted, in that last spare corner you had your eye on.
I was going to do the peas after a lettuce planting in my 'customised' AG, beat me to it. I believe you are starting at A and going through all the seeds to Z.
Tue, 2009/03/17 - 5:46pm
#26
LOL!!! Not exactly A to Z. I just grow what I love to eat.
I am just a girl who needs instant gratification (which isnt exactly what gardening brings me) but I figure if I get everything growing at once I will have plenty to eat once its all grown 
Wed, 2009/03/18 - 8:22am
#27
Hi Jessi,
If you want instant gratification, take a look at these. You can start snipping in 10 days:
https://www.superseeds.com/products.php?search=82910
Beth
Wed, 2009/03/18 - 9:34am
#28
I want! I want!
Wed, 2009/03/18 - 9:42am
#29
Maybe you should try growing sprouts, Jessi - aka microgreens.
I can definitely relate to wanting instant gratification...
Wed, 2009/03/18 - 10:09am
#30
Funny that you should mention it! I was looking at sprouts in this catalog I got in the mail from Garden's Alive. I was thinking I love sprouts on a sandwich but have never made 1 with them at home.
Good luck with these!
I tried growing beans once in a mini... My daughter loves fresh green beans, and my outdoor beans didn't do well last summer. So I used my own seeds and pod sponges and nutrients instead of an Aerogrow kit. The seeds not only rotted, but a clear gelatinous goo emerged from them and trailed into the tank. I was so grossed out, I immediately tossed the whole thing and haven't had the nerve to try again yet.
I'd really like to see how well yours yield, though. My daughter still wants fresh beans.
(They are awfully nice for snacking.)