Do runner beans need to be pollinated?
Chriscore
Posts: 140
in Fruit & veg
I got some growimg up canes in the garden they look like they are doing well with lots of flowers on but no fruits yet but then it occured to me, do i need to pollinate them manually or is just leaving it to the bees and the bugs sufficient?
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You can rely on the bees etc if they're about. Have you got plenty of insects visiting the flowers?
In the sticks near Peterborough
Well we have plenty of pests eatin the leaves so maybe lol
I think nut was referring more to the flying variety, not the slimy variety
I've noticed in recent years and from others that bees often can't be bothered to crawl in through the front of the flower any more, they just make a hole in the back of the flower to get the pollen
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Just seen a bee on them so fingers crossed!
Usually flying insects will do the job. There is a fairly new variety called Firestorm which is self pollinating. It did very well in my garden last year.
I've been growing Firestorm for quite a few years now, recommended it to several people, self pollinating, drought resistant as well, I never water them. Fantastic amount of beans on them, a good all rounder. Everyone germinates as well., got them from ebay, 99p for 45 seeds.
There is a wasp that nips the flowers off to get at the pollen and that stops the beans forming. More likely though is the flowers are being pollinated but the lack of rain has stopped the beans 'setting' so they just drop off. This recent wet spell hopefully may change that
. As Lyn says, some varieties do better than others in dry conditions.
Firestorm, might try that one out next year. I'm not really sure the variety i have they were given to me but they do seem to be doing quite well just no beans yet. Thank you for all your help everyone.
Mine are in flower, no beans yet, bit too soon.
Same here Liz, my dad always used to pick of the first flowers anyway, he said it made for a stronger plant, I'm sure they will fruit soon,