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runner bean question ,pollination update

 
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dpack



Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 45372
Location: yes
PostPosted: Mon Jul 06, 15 12:33 pm    Post subject: runner bean question ,pollination update Reply with quote
    

i have a few bean plants,they are flowering well but although there seem quite a few bees only about half the flowers are setting bean pods.

is this normal?

if not what should i do?

Last edited by dpack on Wed Jul 22, 15 9:54 am; edited 1 time in total

Nicky cigreen



Joined: 25 Jun 2007
Posts: 9702
Location: Devon, uk
PostPosted: Mon Jul 06, 15 5:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

sometimes bees cut a hole in the side of the flower instead of going the standard way - which means they are unfertilised

blame short tongued bees!

can't think of anything you can do if the beans are not setting, other than hope that things change

dpack



Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 45372
Location: yes
PostPosted: Mon Jul 06, 15 6:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

the side entry seems quite usual with my wild bee selection

i wonder if a brush might help?

Falstaff



Joined: 27 May 2009
Posts: 1014

PostPosted: Mon Jul 06, 15 7:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Brush helps with most fertilisation.

It's a problem with early beans - you don't seem to get it so much on later ones. My ol' man used to turn the hosepipe on the flowers, some suggest using a hose to "Dampen the atmosphere".

You'll get some, whatever you do and your later plantings should be fine as I said. .

marigold



Joined: 02 Sep 2005
Posts: 12458
Location: West Sussex
PostPosted: Mon Jul 06, 15 7:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Yes, it's quite normal for flowers not to result in beans early in the season. Giving them a shower is supposed to help, though I'm not sure it does more than give you the satisfaction of having done something. They do need to be well-watered though, especially if grown in pots. And watch out for blackfly and soap/spray them off pronto.

dpack



Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 45372
Location: yes
PostPosted: Mon Jul 06, 15 10:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

water is easy as i have a holey hose running around all the fish boxes

i will give em a spray and try brush pollination in the ongoing flowers

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Tue Jul 07, 15 6:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I think if you spray them with water it can wash the pollen down and fertilise the flowers. They don't tend to fertilise in dry weather though. In 1976 we didn't get anything much until the rain started in September.

Tavascarow



Joined: 06 Aug 2006
Posts: 8407
Location: South Cornwall
PostPosted: Tue Jul 07, 15 1:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Regular watering.
The first thing a plant does if it's suffering water stress is stop producing nectar.
No nectar, no bees, no pollination.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Wed Jul 08, 15 6:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

My beans are just starting to flower and I am watering them regularly at the moment as we haven't had rain for a while. Hoping some start to set soon, or it will be the spray or the paintbrush.

dpack



Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 45372
Location: yes
PostPosted: Wed Jul 08, 15 1:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

the flowers that have dropped since it started raining after the hot spell do seem to have a better pollination rate so the spraying thing might be sensible in dry weather .

Lloyd



Joined: 24 Jan 2005
Posts: 2699

PostPosted: Thu Jul 09, 15 9:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

It is important to keep the ground moist at root level as much as possible irrespective of the constantly changing external conditions. This is why a good root mulch is so important so the available ground water and nutrient is accessible at short notice to the vitally developing parts of the plant.

dpack



Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 45372
Location: yes
PostPosted: Wed Jul 22, 15 9:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

a quick update ,the beans have been setting much better,this could be due to the reasons set out above but something i have noticed is the set rate improved once there were small thin type of hoverflies sipping nectar as well as assorted bees

dpack



Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 45372
Location: yes
PostPosted: Wed Jul 22, 15 9:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

ps i didnt get round to the brush thing as they started setting soon after my question.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Thu Jul 23, 15 6:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Glad your beans are setting. My runners haven't yet, but not many are in flower. The French beans are though, and hope to have a picking soon. I put them in a bit late as it was so cold at the end of May.

dpack



Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 45372
Location: yes
PostPosted: Thu Jul 23, 15 8:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

so far i have had one 3 portion crop and the second cut is bigger and ready.

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