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.
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.)