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not enough bees

WinniecatWinniecat Posts: 100
in Fruit & veg
My runner bean plants are covered in flowers but not a pod in sight. We seem to have a shortage of bees this year so I guess they are not pollinating them. Does anyone know a way of pollinating them by hand?
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Posts

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384

    You could try spraying them with water as this is an age-old tip which is supposed to help setting.  Don't blast the flowers off though - some hose attachments can be a bit too strong! image

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • bekkie hughesbekkie hughes Posts: 5,294
    I think thats usually to do with misting them with water and growing things like fennel to attract hover flies, i cant remember exactly, im sure someone else will be along soon who will know image
  • bekkie hughesbekkie hughes Posts: 5,294
    Ha ha Bob, our posts crossed , you must type alot faster than me ! image
  • WinniecatWinniecat Posts: 100
    Thanks Bob and Beckie. I have tried this but not sure if it has worked. If planting fennel nearby helps that's good as I've done that as well but quite by accident!
  • bekkie hughesbekkie hughes Posts: 5,294
    It dosent have to be fennel, just something that attracts insects image
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190

    Surely if they are covered in flowers, you wont see the beans yet, give them time, I have never known of a row of runner beans 

    with no beans on it.

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • UnknownUnknown

    http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c186/DavidKnapper/4fb794ff-82c5-4bc9-ab9a-1fe51b092d91_zpsf29cc4c9.jpg

     

    Have a couple on me. image

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,131

    This sometimes happens early in the season - don't worry, the insects will find them image


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





  • WinniecatWinniecat Posts: 100
    Thanks everyone. I am an impatient gardener!
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190

    I have a piccy of  echinops just like yours David, the bees love it.

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

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