Pinto Bean

Pinto Bean Care

Phaseolus Vulgaris Pinto Group

What is the plant

The common bean is a highly variable species with a long history. Bush varieties form erect bushes 20–60 cm (8–20 in) tall, while pole or running varieties form vines 2–3 m (7–10 ft) long. All varieties bear alternate, green or purple leaves, which are divided into three oval, smooth-edged leaflets, each 6–15 cm (2–6 in) long and 3–11 cm (1–4 in) wide. The white, pink, or purple flowers are about 1 cm long, and they give way to pods 8–20 cm (3–8 in) long and 1–1.5 cm wide. These may be green, yellow, black, or purple in color, each containing 4–6 beans. The beans are smooth, plump, kidney-shaped, up to 1.5 cm long, range widely in color, and are often mottled in two or more colors. Raw or undercooked beans contain a toxic protein called phytohaemagglutinin.

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Humidity

High

Lighting

Part Sun

Temperature

-15°C - 10°C

Hardiness zone

7 - 9

Difficulty

Easy

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Pinto beans need 1 inch of water per week. Use a drip irrigation system for supplemental watering to avoid splashing soil onto the leaves, which can lead to soil-borne disease. To determine if the plants need water, stick your index finger about 1 inch into the soil near the base of the plant. If the soil is dry, it's time to water. Plants that are under-watered will stop flowering. Beans have shallow roots, and mulching helps to keep them cool and preserve moisture in the soil.
Fertilizer
Because they are legumes, beans fix nitrogen in the soil, so avoid a high-nitrogen fertilizer. Instead, use a 10-20-10 fertilizer to feed the plants throughout the growing season, following the product directions. Pole beans produce over such a long period that they benefit from a feeding or a side dressing of compost about halfway through their growing season.
Sunlight
Beans need full sun for the best yield. Beans tend to stop flowering in the extreme heat of summer, but keep them well-watered, and they will resume flowering and production when temperatures cool. Full sun also helps keep the plants dry and less likely to be affected by a disease.

Disease diagnosis

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Soil
Beans like moderately rich soil with a slightly acidic pH. You can amend the soil with organic matter. Remove weeds prior to planting to prevent competition for water and nutrients. As the bean grow, weed carefully around the plants, as their shallow roots can be easily damaged.
Temperature
Beans germinate best when soil temperature is between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If the soil temperature is below 60 degrees, seed will germinate more slowly and are susceptible to rot. The plants grow best when the air temperature is between 65 and 85 degrees. Green beans grow in all humidity conditions if properly watered.
Additional
Many bean types are not intended to be eaten raw, and some are technically toxic when eaten uncooked or undercooked. Red kidney beans are perhaps the most common toxic bean. Eating just a few raw or undercooked kidney beans causes diarrhea and vomiting.