UK gardening - Broad Beans question

Author

Broad Beans question

Therefore

2008-03-26, 1:25 pm

Hello can you help.

My broad beans are growing well and flowering , these are in the glass house
with doors open when weather permits.

There seems to be a shortage of insects and bees and I presume this is
causing the lack of pollination which is besetting the plants.

Any ideas you may have will be very welcome.

....................Leslie

Robert \(Plymouth\)

2008-03-26, 1:25 pm

"Therefore" <therefore@sciencefiction.com> wrote in message
news:64v7q0F2d9lugU1@mid.individual.net...
> Hello can you help.
>
> My broad beans are growing well and flowering , these are in the glass
> house with doors open when weather permits.
>
> There seems to be a shortage of insects and bees and I presume this is
> causing the lack of pollination which is besetting the plants.
>
> Any ideas you may have will be very welcome.
>
> ....................Leslie

Ha! yes very good, perhaps the little green men can help

Robert \(Plymouth\)

2008-03-26, 1:25 pm

"Robert (Plymouth)" <robert29@btinternetbeachcomber.com> wrote in message
news:m7WdnRNorcOUHXfanZ2dnUVZ8tuqnZ2d@bt.com...
>
> "Therefore" <therefore@sciencefiction.com> wrote in message
> news:64v7q0F2d9lugU1@mid.individual.net...
>
> Ha! yes very good, perhaps the little green men can help
.... they would have been far better in the open ground

Peter Robinson

2008-03-26, 8:25 pm

Robert (Plymouth) <robert29@btinternetbeachcomber.com> wrote:

> "Robert (Plymouth)" <robert29@btinternetbeachcomber.com> wrote in message
> news:m7WdnRNorcOUHXfanZ2dnUVZ8tuqnZ2d@bt.com...
>
> ... they would have been far better in the open ground

Mine are in open ground, and the earliest sowing is now producing big
flower buds, but the OP is right that there doesn't seem to be many bees
etc about. Do broad beans manage to get pollinated at this time of
year? I've never grown them before, and I hadn't even thought about
that until now. One more thing to worry about I suppose.

Peter

Sacha

2008-03-26, 8:25 pm

On 26/3/08 22:42, in article 1ieflm7.1vqnboy14fu7n1N%pmrobinson@gmx.net,
"Peter Robinson" <pmrobinson@gmx.net> wrote:

> Robert (Plymouth) <robert29@btinternetbeachcomber.com> wrote:
>
>
> Mine are in open ground, and the earliest sowing is now producing big
> flower buds, but the OP is right that there doesn't seem to be many bees
> etc about. Do broad beans manage to get pollinated at this time of
> year? I've never grown them before, and I hadn't even thought about
> that until now. One more thing to worry about I suppose.
>
> Peter

We have plenty of honey bees and bumble bees around here, especially on
warmer days. It doesn't take much to get them out. But while I know
nothing about growing beans, can a paintbrush be usefully employed?
--
Sacha
http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
'We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our
children.'

Stewart Robert Hinsley

2008-03-26, 8:25 pm

In message <1ieflm7.1vqnboy14fu7n1N%pmrobinson@gmx.net>, Peter Robinson
<pmrobinson@gmx.net> writes
>Robert (Plymouth) <robert29@btinternetbeachcomber.com> wrote:
>
>
>Mine are in open ground, and the earliest sowing is now producing big
>flower buds, but the OP is right that there doesn't seem to be many bees
>etc about. Do broad beans manage to get pollinated at this time of
>year? I've never grown them before, and I hadn't even thought about
>that until now. One more thing to worry about I suppose.
>
>Peter
I'm worrying about that as well, as mine already have some open flowers,
but perhaps, like peas, they're self-fertilising. I can but wait and see
if they fruit.
--
Stewart Robert Hinsley

Richard at GS

2008-03-27, 9:25 am

Therefore;780849 Wrote:
> Hello can you help.
>
> My broad beans are growing well and flowering , these are in the glass
> house
> with doors open when weather permits.
>
> There seems to be a shortage of insects and bees and I presume this is
>
> causing the lack of pollination which is besetting the plants.
>
> Any ideas you may have will be very welcome.
>
> ....................Leslie

Hi Leslie
I have tried broad beans in a polytunnel before and was very
disappointed with the fruit set even later in the season when there
were more bees about. I don't think they are very good at self
pollinating. Climbing french and dwarf beans are much more successful
under cover. Sorry not to be more positive, but you could have a go
with the paintbrush and keep your fingers crossed.

--
Richard at GS

Therefore

2008-03-27, 9:25 am

Thank you for your input

......................Leslie

"Richard at GS" <Richard.at.GS.26112d7@gardenbanter.co.uk> wrote in message
news:Richard.at.GS.26112d7@gardenbanter.co.uk...
>
> Therefore;780849 Wrote:
>
> Hi Leslie
> I have tried broad beans in a polytunnel before and was very
> disappointed with the fruit set even later in the season when there
> were more bees about. I don't think they are very good at self
> pollinating. Climbing french and dwarf beans are much more successful
> under cover. Sorry not to be more positive, but you could have a go
> with the paintbrush and keep your fingers crossed.
>
>
>
>
> --
> Richard at GS

Peter Robinson

2008-03-27, 8:25 pm

Sacha <sacha@nowhere.myzen.co.uk> wrote:

> On 26/3/08 22:42, in article 1ieflm7.1vqnboy14fu7n1N%pmrobinson@gmx.net,
> "Peter Robinson" <pmrobinson@gmx.net> wrote:
>
>
> We have plenty of honey bees and bumble bees around here, especially on
> warmer days.

Well, it's true there are some about sometimes. I even ejected a very
large very sleepy wasp from the kitchen a week ago.

> It doesn't take much to get them out. But while I know
> nothing about growing beans, can a paintbrush be usefully employed?

I suppose so! I have had a couple of sessions with a cotton bud on my
overwintering chili plants, and they seem to be setting fruit now. But
I reckon if it's outside then that part shouldn't be my responsibility

Peter

LinkBot