How to Prune Pole Bean Plants
- 1). Remove plants that have started to grow too close to one another. Pole beans should have 6 inches of space between plants. Either discard smaller ones to clear the way for bigger, heartier plants, or transplant to an open area.
- 2). Cut away stems that are broken, browning or have many spots along the perimeter. Spots are a sign of disease and/or pest infestation. You should treat the plants with pesticides if this becomes a problem.
- 3). Pluck the blooms that are small and misshapen. These flowers will only result in poor fruit while stealing valuable nutrients from the healthier, more promising buds.
- 4). String the plant onto a metal trellis to promote growth. Keep the stems from clustering in one area and encourage the plant to venture out in various directions.