Runner Beans

[reetnproper]

We have blackfly (andd greenfly) galore as well but seem to be lacking in ladybirds now, despite having been overrun with our redshelled allies during the spring. Fortunately our thriving colony of sparrows is happily hopping from bean to bean pecking the blighters.

Reet
x

[chilliking]

i have the same problem with beans outdoor (south east). hopefully this cool, wet spell will help the flowers set...

[Incy]

Runner beans definitely don't like the heat. My first year growing I planted runners and french beans in the greenhouse not realising this. The french beans coped a little better but the runners didn't produce much at all. Outside they are prolific once they get going although I have noticed that they drop quite a few flowers before they get up to speed.

[Kayleigh-M]

I have found a few teeny tiny beans on my plants today, so maybe the cooler spell and rain has helped.

[Mac]

I moved some of my runners out of the greenhouse into the garden as I thougth the weather had turned....the next day we had torrential rain and high winds, needless to say I lost loads....you just can't win in this weather just now!

[gojiberry]

Have grown moonlight this year but they are not doing any better than the usual runners. Had my first pick today and the small beans are starting to form. We have had some problem with a small wasp like insect that nips just behind the flower and it falls off.

Ian

[hamsterqueen]

Those could well be blackfly, Jalnald - in which case a bit of judicious squishing between finger and thumb would not go amiss. I'm having a bad year for blackfly myself!!

me too, I don;t normally get them on runner beans but this year there are loads. Haven;t seen so many ladybirds around this year, normally they are munching away happily on the black beasties.

[Alison]

Been up the plot tonight and noticed that this cooler weather has kick started the beans, have quite a few ones forming nicely from my HSL, think they're called Meesha or something like that.

[Suky]

Blackfly on everything this year but there is a good supply of ladybird lavae in evidence and the sparrows and bluetits are helping too.