Any ideas ???

[BAZ]

Hi All
Can you help, I saved some broad bean seeds from last year, tested their validity before sowing, but have noticed - after the flower drops off, no broad bean behind it. I've looked it up in some books but haven't really got to the bottom of the cause. Any ideas WHY?

Any suggestions gratefully received

Baz. (confused)

P.S. I have sown some fresh seeds later on which are now coming into flower. So hopefully these will be kinder to our very eagerly awaiting family. Also, I have seen bees visiting the flowers, so they should be getting pollinated.

[roitelet]

Don't know if it would work but you could try spraying with clear water to help the fruit set. This can be done with Runner Beans so it may work!

[Gwen11ian]

I agree with roitelet.. it may have something to do with humidity. The past few weeks have been very dry (at least around where I live) and I was noticing the flowers dropping off with no bean behind, so I made a point of spraying the plants every morning with water from the hose.. and now all the beans are setting.

[jacob]

Broadies have a lot of flowers and they don't all set to pods, some will just drop off.

If you're getting none, it is most likely that they've not been fertlised, or alternatively the weather has been too hot/dry or cold wet.

If you've got loads of flowers left I would worry. Yet.

[Note, I have real issues with getting early summer broad beans!]

Jacob, broad bean moaner in chief

[BAZ]

Thank You

Thanks all,

For the advice I'll try spraying the leaves, although its raining aplenty as I write this, so maybe not today!
I do have other plants, that I sowed after my first batch, so hopefully these will do better (ever the optimist).
Thanks
Baz