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Posted by on July 24, 2005, 5:54 am
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This is the poorest year I can remember. The blossoms seem to be mainly
falling off the plant, without setting at all. Perhaps one or two
out of a possible 15 blossom might set on my runner bean (Phaseolus L.) (Phaseolus L.) plants.
Very disappointed.
Here's what I've been doing, for any experts out there :
I am using saved seed, 90% of which are Streamline. Well worked
ground with my own compost. I started the plants indoors. Sowed
in a cold greenhouse around the first or second week of April and
thereafter. I've rotated the main trench this year, but planted
a few in last year's trench (the blossom set problem exists in
both trenches). I've watered as well as I ever have, misted to
encourage pollination... I've even resorted to spraying with
some sugary liquid to encourage insects to come and pollinate.
I've planted more densely than most people would do,
however, I work the soil deeper than most and haven't seen
a problem in previous years.
Could the very hot and dry weather for the past two or three weeks
be the main cause of my runner beans (Phaseolus L.) (Phaseolus L.) not setting ?
Look forward to hearing your views.
--
Darren
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Posted by Nick Maclaren on July 24, 2005, 7:19 am
If you were Registered and logged in, you could reply and use other advanced thread options >Is anyone else suffering a very poor runner bean crop this year ?
>This is the poorest year I can remember. The blossoms seem to be mainly
>falling off the plant, without setting at all. Perhaps one or two
>out of a possible 15 blossom might set on my runner bean plants.
It is the dry weather. It is raining here in Cambridge, on the
day that I am experimenting with an umu! Anyway, it will help
with the beans (Phaseolus L.) (Phaseolus L.)
Regards,
Nick Maclaren.
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Posted by Bob Hobden on July 24, 2005, 12:52 pm
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"Nick Maclaren" wrote
> It is the dry weather. It is raining here in Cambridge, on the
> day that I am experimenting with an umu! Anyway, it will help
> with the beans.
An underground oven? Sounds fascinating, do let us know the outcome.
--
Regards
Bob
In Runnymede, 17 miles West of London
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Posted by Alan Holmes on July 24, 2005, 10:38 am
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> Is anyone else suffering a very poor runner bean crop this year ?
> This is the poorest year I can remember. The blossoms seem to be mainly
> falling off the plant, without setting at all. Perhaps one or two
> out of a possible 15 blossom might set on my runner bean plants.
>
> Very disappointed.
Mine are not very good either, I assumed it was because I'd got them in
a bit late, but some flowers are beginning to set, I must consult the
neighbours about their beans!
--
Alan
Reply to alan (dot) holmes27 (at) virgin (dot) net
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Posted by Geoff on August 21, 2005, 7:28 am
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> Is anyone else suffering a very poor runner bean crop this year ?
> This is the poorest year I can remember. The blossoms seem to be mainly
> falling off the plant, without setting at all. Perhaps one or two
> out of a possible 15 blossom might set on my runner bean plants.
Although on the I.W. we've had dry weather my beans are fantastic.
The secret?
A few years ago I bought a length of leaky pipe for my front garden bedding
plants and they did well so this year I used the pipe around the wigwam of
canes in the small raised bed to support the bean plants. When the dry
weather really started I connected the pipe to a water butt. Although the
pressure is of course very low, the pipe leaks enough to keep the soil
moist.
In the course of a week the water level in the butt drops by about 4 inches.
I've refilled the butt three times from a second butt using a pressure pump
and was going to fill it again the other day but it rained.
My wife told me it's the best year ever for our beans.
By the way, a nearby neighbour was going to plant some beans where she had
grown them last year but saw those plants growing again - her husband had
not dug up the old plants - so she left them and she too has had a super
crop. Runner beans are perennials so why not leave them in? If there's no
hard frost they'll come up again.
Geoff
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