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Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: fuchsia on April 14, 2008, 18:33:39

Title: Broad Beans not setting
Post by: fuchsia on April 14, 2008, 18:33:39
Hi

I have super aquadulce planted outside since last November and Suttons planted in the polytunnel since November. Both crops are flowering profusely but the lower flowers are turning black and falling off without setting. Thought maybe polytunnel ones were due to lack of pollination but the outside ones?

Anyone with any ideas?
Title: Re: Broad Beans not setting
Post by: star on April 14, 2008, 18:48:22
Mine look the same as yours Fuchsia, I wonder if its the cold spring we're having. Ive seen bumble bees but not too often and never on my beans :(
Title: Re: Broad Beans not setting
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on April 14, 2008, 19:58:25
Could be flowering too early for the season. I haven't seen much out either; I'm just hoping my Cambridge Gage, which is in full bloom, gets pollinated.
Title: Re: Broad Beans not setting
Post by: tilts on April 14, 2008, 20:31:40
Sorry, I don't know.  I will be surprised if mine flourish I brought them on indoors and went to the plot at a nice sunny time yesterday morning to get caught by a hail storm planting them out!
Title: Re: Broad Beans not setting
Post by: Tee Gee on April 15, 2008, 15:04:23
Quoteplanted in the polytunnel

I think the clue might be here!

No pollinators is normally the problem for lack of flower set.

Can bees get into your tunnel?

It would be advisable to leave the tunnel door open a couple of hours before and after lunch to let the pollinators in.

You could try manual pollination but from what you say the flowers seem to have aborted, hope I am wrong for your sake.

This is one reason I never bother with autumn sown beans, i.e. 'pollinator availabilty' and I would say even more so if growing under cover like you have unless you encourage them in.