Runner Beans not setting - why oh why oh why?

[marcusexeter]

Hello all

my runner beans - the flowers fall off just leaving stalks with no baby beans? It has been dry lately, but I never see lots of little birds like sparrows in the veg patch any ideas please?

on the other hand my french beans which are growing next to them are fine...

best wishes Marcus

[marcusexeter]

[betula]

Mine are a bit odd this year.getting one long bean and nought else in what should be a cluster and baby beans determined to stay babies.......would be interested to know why........they have been watered twice a day.

[tugboat]

i am having the same problem.i do know that runner beans need bumble bees to pollinate them and maybe
it is because there is a shortage of bumbles about.

[Borlotti]

I have been watering mine twice a day if possible and also watering the flowers, leaves.  Have got a few beans, but mine are absolutely covered in blackfly, and the ladybirds are doing their best but not coping.  Think we need rain.

[plot51A]

I think its been too hot and dry for them. They prefer it cooler. My son said he'd read that they need a night temperature lower than 16C to set beans and certainly here in E.Anglia we've had high temps including at night for ages. I've picked a grand total of 4 runner beans so far - there are more coming now. The frenchies meanwhile seem to love this weather and I've had mountains of them. A good reason to grow both.

[Unwashed]

I think it's a water thing.  They need a good sump to draw on in the hot dry days, and if your soil's thin I think they get too dry.

i am having the same problem.i do know that runner beans need bumble bees to pollinate them and maybe
it is because there is a shortage of bumbles about.

I watched fascinated last year as the big bumbles drilled into the nectaries through the back of the flowers.  I don' tthink that help, though maybe Robert will be along later and confirm that.

[Robert_Brenchley]

It doesn't help at all as the bee bypasses both the pollen and the style. It's what happens when their tongues are too short to reach the nectar.