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Runner beans not appearing

MeddyliolMeddyliol Posts: 12
in Fruit & veg
My runner beans have been in flower for about three weeks or so. So far there is no sign of any actual beans. I have grown loads of runner beans but in the dim and distant past, cannot remember having any problems. The beans are Scarlett Empire which I have never heard of before. Are they late in producing beans?

Thanks

Brian
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Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I see from earlier posts that you live in Cumbria ... not known for it's warm climate  ;) ... I suspect that you just have to wait a while for the weather and insects to combine forces ...

    We're in sunny mid Norfolk and we picked our first beans this week ... from an early sowing of a self-pollinating variety 'Moonlight'.   ... when I've grown other varieties I don't expect to be picking beans until much nearer the beginning of August, if then.  

     :) 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • MeddyliolMeddyliol Posts: 12
    Thanks, you are correct, it's still winter where we are (Whitehaven). Will have to wait and see. Worth the wait though (if I actually get any LOL).
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Worth trying the 'Moonlight' variety another year ... they're slightly more tolerant of slightly lower temperatures (they've got some French bean in their genetic makeup) and not dependent on the insects for pollination.  Flavour is just as good as runners and they crop well.  

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Still winter here too, the nights haven’t been in double figures yet,  my beans are about 2’ tall, if that,  hopefully we’ll get some summer. 
    I grow Firestorm self fertilising. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • nick615nick615 Posts: 1,487
    My vines are off the tops of the sticks - but no beans yet.  Plenty of flowers.
  • MeddyliolMeddyliol Posts: 12
    Just noticed about three beans have appeared (about 1cm long) Yahoo!
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Hurrah! 🍽 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    The traditional advice was to spray the flowers with water in the evening to help "move" the pollen. If you have had plenty of rain this shouldn't be needed.  I always grow both French and Runner beans now. If it's a hot summer the FB do best if it's cool and damp the Runners do better.  I have been growing Moonlight,  ever since it was first introduced. 
    AB Still learning

  • SiobhancantgardenSiobhancantgarden Posts: 70
    I'm in the South - so plenty of sun. Zero runner beans. Terrible climbing Frenchies too. Probably 10 curly beans, at most....
  • REMF33REMF33 Posts: 731
    edited August 2022
    Two of my neighbours say they've had at most a handful of runner beans (SE London). My mother's neighbour in Sheffield, the same. I suppose Sheffield has been having quite similar temperatures to here. Runner beans are indigenous to coolish, elevated regions of South America.
    I am harvesting enough French beans to have more than enough for two for a meal a day, but I have quite a lot of plants so maybe they are not doing as well as they should be.
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