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Do birds eat runner bean flowers?

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  • #1

    Do birds eat runner bean flowers?

    This year I'm growing a white flowered variety of runner bean as it's supposed to be heat tolerant* - I can't find the packet right now so don't remember the variety - but whilst I've got plenty of flowers, several on each stalk have disappeared with no trace of a bean in its place!

    I know they are getting pollinated as this morning I was transfixed as a bee systematically went up the row visiting flower after flower. There are no flowers on the ground so I'm wondering whether birds eat them? If so, are white flowers more attractive than red ones, as I've never had this problem before.

    On the other side of the row I'm growing purple podded climbing French beans and they aren't being eaten! Anyone else have the same problem? Cures?

    * 38C today and getting warmer as the week progresses!
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  • #2
    It's the heat and it's the fact that they are runners. It always happens with the first flowers - don't know about anyhting eating them. Plenty of moisture and try misting them with water too. Was it White Lady or White Emergo?
    Whoever plants a garden believes in the future.

    www.vegheaven.blogspot.com Updated March 9th - Spring

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    • #3
      Aaaaah, I didn't realise it could be the heat making the flowers drop. Actually I was at a friend's yesterday and I asked his whether his red RB flowers were being 'eaten' like mine and indeed they were, but he had loads of beans on his.

      I do have a porous hose along both rows adjacent to their stems attached to a Gardena automatic watering gizmo, which gives them 15min of water twice a day. I'll now try misting them in the evening as well.

      I found the packet - they are called Desiree - from T&M. They are definately RBs and not potatoes!! The packet actually says, "Does well in dry seasons, so I got it wrong about the heat!

      I'll let you now how they do.

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      • #4
        I think birds must eat the flowers because I am growing white apollo and on the T&M web site it says "This decorative white-flowered variety is ignored by the birds so its blossoms are left intact and maximum crops can be enjoyed!".

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        • #5
          broad bean flowers

          I've had the same problem for 2 years running now. Only a small amount of space to plant my broad beans which we love. Excited that they produce masses of flowers - anticipating lots of beans, only to find that all is left is the stalk which held the petals of the flower and no bean pod. Some have developed but can't fathom it.

          I might try covering them next year if it's birds eating them.

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          • #6
            oops just realised that this post applies to runners - not broad beans - guess the same applies though?

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