[wrinkly1]

  have i wasted my time on french beans in my new polytunnel. someone said they wont polinate .they are 7 inches high. its a hard lesson if true. all help wellcome

[Auntiemogs]

I believe they're self-pollinating. 

[AnnieB]

As I presme they are pollinated by insect then and as the number of pollinators present is generally reduced then the number of pollinated flowers will be low, so a low crop.

Not sure if there is much that you can do to tempt pollinators in to a poly tunnel, the ends would need to be fully open and something to draw them to the openings (flowers), then they may enter to investigate and so pollinate items in the tunnel.

AM: Even if self pollinating wouldn't they still need something to move the pollen round ?

[sunshineband]

I believe they're self-pollinating. 

I never have had a problem with them setting pods inside

[DD.]

Have a look at this:

http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/members/seed_saving/ssg8_french_beans.php

They are self-pollinating and Garden Organic mention no special measures to pollinate them. Rest assured, if they needed assistance, they would have said so!

[sunshineband]

That's a relief -- I was trying to remember if I had seen a lot of insects around when I had the ones growing in pots last year 

[wrinkly1]

many thanks to all.i will watch with interest.it,s so new and confusing.but it,s a big help to ask someone who will have experienced it. 

[stainesbloke]

The lady on my neighbouring plot yesterday said tomatoes need pollinating to produce fruit. Well I didn't know that lol So I opened the polytunnel door for 5 hours and in that time no less than 12 bees flew in and started pollinating

[DD.]

Everything needs pollinating to produce fruit, but not all need pollinators.

The same goes for tomatoes - there is no need for insects. They are self-fertile. All it needs is a tap on the cane every now and then to release the pollen.

[Auntiemogs]

My Grandad used to have a 'tickling stick' which consisted of a feather tied on to a cane and that was my job when we were in the greenhouse (tickling the tomatoes).  Probably didn't need it but I really felt I was helping. 

[GrannieAnnie]

Am I deprived then?  I've never tickled a tomato in my life!   

I always grow my tomatoes in my polytunnel, have done since 2006 and before that in my little greenhouse.  Never had a problem with lack of crops.

In fact I still have lots of chopped frozen toms in the freezer from last year!

[DD.]

Not at all!

I never bother to do anything to assist my tomatoes set and never have any problems. It's just that "they" say to tap the canes!

[Auntiemogs]

Am I deprived then?  I've never tickled a tomato in my life!   

Aw GA, it was great, really felt like I was helping!   There was also a search for the four leaf clover on the school fields...

[GrannieAnnie]

Am I deprived then?  I've never tickled a tomato in my life!   

Aw GA, it was great, really felt like I was helping!   There was also a search for the four leaf clover on the school fields...

We never did that either!  See, I missed out so much when I was younger!   

[Eblana]

I have grown dwarf french beans in the tunnel for the last 3 years and I have always gotten a brilliant crop off them and I have never done anything to them to help them along.