Fortex – Bean Seed

Early, dependable pole bean with an extended harvest period.
Growing to over 11″, Fortex produces extra-long round pods. Early and very productive, the beans may be picked at 7″ in length for extra-slender “filet” beans. Dark green, firm-textured pods are completely stringless and delicious at all lengths, even after the seeds enlarge. Walnut brown seeds. Avg. 1,050 seeds/lb. Packet: 30 seeds.

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Phaseolus vulgaris
CULTURE: Grow pole beans on trellises or large mesh fencing, 4-pole tepees, or single poles. Sow seeds 1″ deep, spaced 3″ apart in rows 4′ apart after soil temperature exceeds 60°F (16°C). If using poles, plant 4 seeds at the base of each pole. Inoculants can increase yields.
LARGE PLANTINGS: Drill a single row of seeds on open ground or through black plastic mulch. Sow 3 seeds/hole, 8″ between holes. For large trellised plantings, place fence posts 8–10′ apart, and support a 9-gauge galvanized wire at the top. With twine, lash trellis to the wire (or zigzag our natural sisal trellis twine between the top wire and a bottom twine). Anchor bottom of trellis with stakes or hoops of 9-gauge wire.
DISEASES: Plow under or remove and compost bean straw in the fall to hasten destruction of most disease organisms. For sclerotinia white mold control, plant at wider row spacing to promote drying of plant leaves and soil. Practice a 3-year crop rotation, preferably into corn or grain crops. All our pole bean seeds are Halo-Blight free.
INSECT PESTS: Mexican bean beetles can be controlled with insecticides such as pyrethrin or azadirachtin.
HARVEST: Harvest regularly to encourage new pod set.
STORAGE: Store at 40°F (5°C) and 90% relative humidity for 7–10 days.
AVG. SEEDING RATE: 250 seeds/60′ or 35 poles; 500 seeds/120′ or 70 poles; 1M/ 250′ or 140 poles.
SEED SPECS: SEEDS/LB.: See individual varieties.
PACKET: 30 seeds