Author Topic: Runner Beans in a Greenhouse? (Read 15832 times)

BML · « **on:** July 12, 2011, 06:10:24 pm »

I planed a few Runner Beans in the Greenhouse and they grew rapidly. The only problem was that they have hardly produced any runner beans. I would welcom any comments as to why.

Greenerlife · « **Reply #1 on:** July 12, 2011, 06:33:31 pm »

Curious to know why you planted them in a greenhouse? I think it is too hot in a greenhouse (even at night) for runners to set "fruit". They are used to hardier climes.

deepinthewoods · « **Reply #2 on:** July 12, 2011, 06:54:08 pm »

they dont like it hot.
french beanswould have loved it tho.

BML · « **Reply #3 on:** July 12, 2011, 07:49:27 pm »

Many years ago I read a book by Upton Sinclare and he told a story about a railway shunter with a foot missing. When he was asked how he lost it replied. “A wagon appeared to be rolling past a set of points where it should have stopped so I stuck my foot under the wheel to stop and it cut it off”. “Why did you do that?” he was asked and he replied, “Well, it seemed a good idea at the time”.
The good idea at the time concept was the only basis behind my trying to grow the Runner Beans in the Green House. I had never grown vegetables before and I knew that I was taking a chance when I put the Runner Bean seeds in the green house very early. When they were about a foot tall I planted them outside where they are now begining to show a few runner beans but I kept a few to grow in the green house. Needless to say, I now know that it doesn’t work.

little blue · « **Reply #4 on:** July 12, 2011, 08:05:42 pm »

they are insect polllinated, usually by bees ... how many bumbley-bees have you seen in your greenhouse?!
that & the heat & dryness will account for the lack of beans.

live & learn as they say (or pollinate with a paintbrush!)

BML · « **Reply #5 on:** July 12, 2011, 08:23:05 pm »

I TAKE YOUR POINT BUT WHAT ABOUT TOMATOES?

little blue · « **Reply #6 on:** July 12, 2011, 10:03:48 pm »

vibration pollination

even shaking the tom vine can encourage pollen transfer, whereas bean flowers are shaped differently, needing mrs bee.

I know when I pass & water the toms, they get a little shaken.

And tomatoes tend to get more water, feed & like warmer temperatures....

Plantoid · « **Reply #7 on:** July 12, 2011, 10:06:40 pm »

Quote from: little blue on July 12, 2011, 08:05:42 pm

they are insect polllinated, usually by bees ... how many bumbley-bees have you seen in your greenhouse?!
that & the heat & dryness will account for the lack of beans.

live & learn as they say (or pollinate with a paintbrush!)

You can set runner beans with a very fine rose spray on a hose pipe I'vre done it many times when the late bean flowers really took off and the temps dropped to 50 oF.( bees stop flying in any numbers ) .
Old Mr Digwell gave me that one years ago , so it's back to growing in the green house unless you have trashed them . If you have auto roof vents like I have insects geting in are no problem but for a precaution I have a rabbits tail on a bit of cane to pollinate the tomatoes , capsicums, strawberries and aubergines etc. just incase there are a few areas missed .
I charged it with pollen from two big bunches of supermarket flowers I purchased for my lass and also gave every weed flower in the front garden a wee wipe with it before I zapped them with a hefty dose of round up.

Millwood · « **Reply #8 on:** July 13, 2011, 07:57:39 am »

I've got french beans romping and fruiting away in the polytunnels this year, so no reason why not, pollination must be the key, we handily have a bumble bee nest in the poly!

Skirza · « **Reply #9 on:** July 13, 2011, 08:20:06 am »

we have runner beans in our polytunnel simply because it's too blooming windy and cold up here to grow them outside. I also have a problem with non setting flowers but I am off to flick a kiddies paintbrush around with gay abandon while wearing a black and yellow jumper and saying, ' Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzz'

deepinthewoods · « **Reply #10 on:** July 13, 2011, 09:19:03 am »

photo?

Skirza · « **Reply #11 on:** July 13, 2011, 09:44:07 am »

ROFL....maybe

deepinthewoods · « **Reply #12 on:** July 13, 2011, 05:24:32 pm »

u damn tease

Fleecewife · « **Reply #13 on:** July 17, 2011, 11:52:17 am »

[quote author=Plantoid.
I have a rabbits tail on a bit of cane to pollinate the tomatoes , capsicums, strawberries and aubergines etc. just incase there are a few areas missed .
I charged it with pollen from two big bunches of supermarket flowers I purchased for my lass and also gave every weed flower in the front garden a wee wipe with it before I zapped them with a hefty dose of round up.
[/quote]

No need to wipe it over flowers of other species as pollen is very specific - tomatoes to tomatoes, squashes to squashes etc