[plot-life]

Hi All

I have the sturdiest broad beans I've ever had atm, I'm so made up with them, that was until I noticed little piles of flowers at the base of the plants. On further inspection it looks like I'm missing a lot of the actual beans that should be there after the flowers disappear?

Now I don't know if its me, but I'm sure it looks like at the base of every flower there is a tiny brown hole into the flower?

Any advice much appreciated, I'll be gutted if this is my crop gone!!!

[Salmo]

Those holes are made by bumble bees with short tongues. They cannot reach the nectar by entering the flower so they cheat. They do not pollenate the flowers but other insects probably do.

[plot-life]

Wow... Thanks Salmo. Makes sense as they have been swarmed with bees recently as there are new hives on the allotments where I am...