Runner Beans---TRIFFID!

MKwife

I am having the same problem!

I planted my beans in two tubs and put them either side of the garden. One side is doing brilliant and the other side is suffering. I think it is because they are only in the sun for a few hours in the morning and the afternoon in shade.

Are your ground ones in good sun?

maggie.wm

Are you winding them anti-clockwise round the canes ? They will refuse if you try to wind them clockwise.

I've never had this problem but it has been a bit windy lately which might have blown them off the canes and the only other thing I can suggest is to very loosely tie them around the cane until they get started or otherwise shelter them from the wind.

Myrtle

It doesn't matter which way round you wind them but they do need tying in to start off with. They'll be fine.

Sharra

Thanks for the advice
MKwife - I think actually the ones that are doing well get less sun than the ones in the ground. I'm wondering whether they like my compost better than the soil.

maggie.wm

Sorry if I've given duff advice. It was an old gardener on my allotment who told me I must wind the beans anti-clockwise and I've slavishly done this ever since but I'm wondering now if this is just a myth as I can't find any mention of it in any of my gardening books. I haven't planted my beans out yet so I'll try them both ways. I will also tie them in as if they unwind and lie on the ground the slug army will get them before I get down to the allotment again. Hoever, I have got another lot sown in pots as backup if any disappear.

lyns_2

Hi
Hope some one can help i have loads of runner beans growing in pots/ground and a raised bed they have hundreds of nice red flowers on them the problem is the flowers die and fall of and i am left with no beans

Mrs_B_12

The beans should form after the flowers fall off, have they only just started falling off? If they don't it could be a lack of water if they have died off too early.

tanith

The beans form on the stalks where the flowers were as long as the flower is pollinated it will grow into a bean.. mine are flowering like mad with a million flowers but on each flower stalk there are mostly about 4 or 5 beans forming they are tiny when they first form but grow very quickly they need lots and lots of water I soak mine for 5 mins morning and night.,...

Farway

lyns wrote: »

Hi
Hope some one can help i have loads of runner beans growing in pots/ground and a raised bed they have hundreds of nice red flowers on them the problem is the flowers die and fall of and i am left with no beans

This is a common problem with runners, dry air is sometimes the culprit, a fine mist spray is supposed to help

It could also be the weather is not nice for bees where you live and they have gone elsewhere.

Some bees are also b*ggers as they bite a hole at the back of the flower to get the nectar, and not use the "proper" route, thus the flower does not get pollinated

I wouldn't worry too much, you will get a crop eventually

lyns_2

Hi
Thanks for the replies i think it could be due to not enough water i have only been giving them a quick water due to all the rain we have had.
I put my hand deep in the soil today and it was very dry so have given them a good soak just befor it started raining.

We have had lots of bees on them some of them are diffrent to the normal bumble bees