Runner bean problem

Rowan · « **on:** August 07, 2008, 15:32 »

Hi all

My runner beans aren't doing too well

they have plenty of red flowers on them, however they seem to de dropping off the stalks before the bean forms, is this normal? I have 1 bean forming and about 30 flowers dropped off.

Any ideas?

ukmaggie45 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 07, 2008, 18:10 »

I'm a mere beginner, but suspect the flowers aren't getting fertilised. Do you have many bees and other insects (eg hover flies) visiting them?

At least you managed to plant beans this year - we only managed toms and courgettes, all from plug plants as we were too disorganised to grow from seed.

Hopefully if the sun comes out a bit more the insects will flock to pollinate those flowers!

Best wishes from Abersoch - we're tending the patio garden for a couple of weeks.

agapanthus · « **Reply #2 on:** August 07, 2008, 18:47 »

It's probably due to the wet weather we've been having. They've probably been pollinated but the wet weather has knocked them back. Don't dispair....they should be fine

richyrich7 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 07, 2008, 19:36 »

My Mum swears by spraying the beans with the hose on mist she does it most days and always gets tons of beans, she reckons it helps them set.

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #4 on:** August 07, 2008, 20:22 »

It cools the flowers down when the nights are hot and helps the pollen tubes to grow

richyrich7 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 07, 2008, 20:33 »

Quote from: "Aunt Sally"

It cools the flowers down when the nights are hot and helps the pollen tubes to grow

Wow !! She's right :shock:

DD. · « **Reply #6 on:** August 07, 2008, 20:40 »

Quote from: "richyrich7"

Quote from: "Aunt Sally"
It cools the flowers down when the nights are hot and helps the pollen tubes to grow

Wow !! She's right :shock:

That explains a lot of things.

Well seven of them anyway.

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #7 on:** August 07, 2008, 21:22 »

So no more cold showers for you in the evening Richy

peterjf · « **Reply #8 on:** August 07, 2008, 23:49 »

have you tried feeding your beans with 1/2 strength tomato feed, feed 3 times in 2 weeks , say , saturday , friday, thursday , itll do the job , my beans was the same , an old plot keeper told me to do this , now im passing it on to you

Rowan · « **Reply #9 on:** August 08, 2008, 09:16 »

we are currently not feeding them anything, i suppose this could be the problem....

we have plenty of insects and bees in our garden so i doubt its that.

I Just hope we get sosme beans as its our first time growing them, we can always take the knowledge through to next year.....

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