Alas, five out of nine runner beans have been decimated by unknown pests (I think not slugs), nothing left but stems and they had not had even time to grow up the poles. 3 plants on the far side (farther from the pests) are still okay.

I have a few more bean plants in plastic pots--how large do I have to let them get to withstand attack? Should I set them in separate pots near the bean poles instead of planting them in the ground?

Any advice welcome!