Broad beans and legumes in general

[RedThorn]

Had a thought this morning while pottering about, I was all excited as my broad beans have started to flower..... then it struck how do broad beans get pollenated? To my knowledge they're open pollenation, and assuming insect..... however these are in my greenhouse and does this mean I'll have to use a brush / earbud? Sorry for the silly questions

[Eyren]

I guess you're going to have to leave your greenhouse door open and hope that the scent of the flowers lures the bees in - or pollinate them yourself! Mind you, I've only grown broadies outdoors.

Since your title was "...and legumes in general" - peas and French beans pollinate themselves before opening. Less problem indoors, but most people grow them outdoors anyway...

[RedThorn]

thanks Eyren, thanks for that, it was a in general question so that answers that so thanks.... I take it then that runners need the bees too.... and thanks again

[Alice]

Your broad beans would have been fine outside RedThorn. They're pretty tough. But since they're in your greenhouse catch a bee and put it in there. If you leave the door open the bees will probably find their way in there, but sadly they're not good at finding their way back out. Maybe you could rescue them.

[RedThorn]

lol I know the normal broadies are outside, but these are special to me, so was taking absolutely no chances..... now thinking you can over moddy coddle plants.....lol

[Flummery]

I believe that there's a chance broadies will self pollinate - but you'll get a better set with bees.

[Demeter]

oo nosey question - why are these ones special?

[-pat m]

How long Broad beans ?

I am so proud of my broad beans but have been thinking it may all be wasted time as the healthy plants have lovely flowers but nothing to pollinate them!! But yesterday even during that horrid weather I saw a couple of bees in the poly tunnel and today I went down and there were several on the beans hopefully just in time! My question is how long can they flower for with out being pollinated? Some of the flowers have been open for at least a week – will they produce fruit?


Regards

Pat

[SarzWix]

I know this is kind of a bee question, but I think you'll get more help from the Vegging board, so I'm just going to shuffle it over there

[bazzaboy]

I am so proud of my broad beans but have been thinking it may all be wasted time as the healthy plants have lovely flowers but nothing to pollinate them!!

Wow, they're impressive Pat M, I'm in the East Mids too and was quite proud of mine till I saw yours - I wouldn't worry if they produce beans or not (they will) just send out the pic! I'm not showing you mine, LOL, pathetic things, but they are outside not in a tunnel. I spent half today rigging up anti-pigeon netting - it's the quickest way to getting suicidal, an equivalent of struggling with Pea Netting From Hell - how do farmers protect broad beans? But yours are looking grrrrreat, Pat, well done. b.

[-pat m]

Sorry I didn't see the first thread - Thanks bazza boy I am a very proud

Regards
Pat