[kathrose]

This is the first time I have grown runner beans.  I was happy to see them grow up and flower, lots of flowers.  I have pinched the tips out now as they are up the top of the canes.  The flowers are falling off, can anyone tell why and what am I doing wrong.  I give them a mist of water mid day as they are flagging in this heat and give them lots of water at night time.

[DD.]

You're doing nothing wrong. This is quite normal for the first flowers.

You'll eventually get some set.

[kathrose]

Thanks DD  If looking and staring made the set I would have millions.  I have done well with spuds. First time for them too.  I was so proud of me beans.  I have asked everywhere, you have been the only one to reassure me a little, thanks again, I will keep watching though,,

[Beetroot queen]

We all do the staring trick  it doesnt make them grow faster, i stared so hard at my sweetcorn i am suprised i didnt burn holes in them.

It wont take long before you are drowning in beans

[Ghost]

This is happening to my beans. I'm it hasn't done this before.

[DD.]

This year you're just like the rest of us, then! 

[Ghost]

Also my Courgettes aren't pollinating despite having flowers on them for a couple of weeks. Seems odd to me.

[Yorkie]

That's perfectly normal too.

It takes courgettes and that family of veggies some time to co-ordinate the male and female flowers opening at the same time.

[Ghost]

Brillant thanks for the advice.

[kathrose]

WIPPEE,,,,,I have got beans,, I have got beans, small but perfectly formed.

[DD.]

Dare I say "I told you so". 

[Ema]

I've lost a lot of flowers too have a few young beans tho, have made an effort to remember to water them now

[GrannieAnnie]

I've got loads of flowers on the ground too, the wind doesn't help, but saw this morning that I have little runner beans, french beans and borlotti beans coming!

With courgettes, it is frustrating that the male flowers appear way ahead of the females, but....... it won't take them long to catch up!

[Goosegirl]

Something to do with the type of bee species I remember and their being there to pollinate - can't remember the details now but have mentioned it on here in the past.

[JayG]

I think it's probably short-tongued bees you're thinking of GG (they can't reach the nectar via the "long" route so they chew through the back of the flower instead!)