Runner bean flowers not setting

[WendyS]

My runner bean flowers are not setting to beans in this hot weather, despite being regularly misted throughout the day and the soil kept moist. . Is anybody else having the same problem and is there anything more I can do to rescue the remaining flowers from oblivion?

[Thunderbird+]

Hi WendyS,
Not sure what the problem is but this seems to be a common problem. I have listed some posible causes below -
Flowers being pecked by birds ( red flowered varieties are susceptible)
Not enough water during flowering period (extra water given at this time should increase yield)
Flowers visited by short tongued bee (this bee will rob nectar from the back of the flower)
Insufficient shading ( although they do well in sun, flowers can get scorched in exsessive sunlight)

Hope this helps T bird+

[WendyS]

Thanks Thunderbird, looks as if it might be the excessive sunlight and heat although I'm intrigued by your comment about the short tongued bee which I have never heard of and the fact that it robs nectar from the back of the flowers. I'll have to stand by my plants for a while and see if I can discover what is going on. I've only had about six beans so far and when I see all the empty flower stems with nothing to show for all my work, it's dispiriting. But that's gardening for you..........!

[lupineloon]

Are they blooming? I guess so if bees are taking nectar. Mine weren't blooming but sent out tremendous vines like I had been feeding them nitrogen. I got sick of their growth and cut the side shoots off. They began blossoming. Don't know if that is a coo-inky-dink or if they got frightened into doing something.