hello I dont know what I am doing wrong but flowers on the runner beans seem to be dropping off I have been spraying them with water and debugging them can anyone tell me why they are doing this many thanks
the main reasons for runner beans not setting seem to be -
it's early in the season - not enough pollinating insects
lack of water at the roots
weather too hot
poor soil - not enough organic matter, too acid
it's still early days!
Hmmmm my flowers have been on for ages and I am concerned that nothing seems to be happening no flowers dropping off yet...fingers crossed.
Is spraying them with water a good idea? I would have thought this would deter pollinating insects.
Quote from: Chrispy on July 06, 2010, 10:29:14
Is spraying them with water a good idea? I would have thought this would deter pollinating insects.
it used to be what you were told to do. "syringe" (!) the flowers, but I never did it
RHS says no (helpful page)
http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/Profile.aspx?pid=381 (http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/Profile.aspx?pid=381)
It has been a little dry this year, keep them well watered, if you have a 'mist' attachment to your hose they appreciate it, it helps keep the beans tender too when the weather is hot and dry.
It is a normal process for plants to abort reproduction if there is a lack of water, beans are sturdy plants and will spring back. The warm pell has made them blossom earlier this year. I know that for a fact.
Much them in round the roots too if possible, well rotted manure is appreciated for that.
I have seeb some bees go into the flower from behind...this causes the flower to drop too
If I ever had trouble with the flowers setting I always sprayed them with sugar water always worked for me.
But expect it is an old fashioned idea but it does attract the bee's.
thanks for all of your help I think that I will wait and see what happens I water them every day I wont bother with spraying the flowers anymore the site where they are I put manure down last year so I have tried to do things that are right isnt nature strange you never get anything the same 2 years running thats what I enjoy about gardening lorraine
Happy gardener,
You are not alone in the failed runner bean area. I too have not had a good year this year.
(http://i922.photobucket.com/albums/ad68/landimad/garden/July%201st%202010/30062010027.jpg)
This was taken on the 1st July 2010
What a sorry sight to have growing and waiting for them to pod up.
56 seeds to start with and another 24 added as the first lot failed. :(
All we have this year so far is a measly 30 plants to cover the canes with.
How dissapointing for you.All of mine were eaten by rabbits last year.........I was gutted.