"Nick Maclaren" wrote after:
| "compo" wrote in message
|...
| Runner beans do not grow very well in the far north of scotland so
this
| year I decided to try growing them in the polytunnel. The plants are
| growing very well, in fact I'm not sure whether I should pinch out
the
| tops to stop them over-growing. My main problem is that the flowers
are
| not setting any beans. How do I ensure pollination?
|
| It would seem that by growing them in the tunnel you have separated
them
| from their pollinating insects. Can you open the tunnel up on fine
days?
| Alternatively, next year I would work out a removable covering to allow
| pollination. Maybe a frame that can be fleeced over, something like
that.

Possibly. A more common cause is too little water or too dry an
atmosphere. They like reasonably high humidity and plenty of
water at the roots (but not waterlogging).


A lot of the older gardeners spray their Runners with water every evening,
and swear it helps setting.

--
Regards
Bob
in Runnymede, 17miles west of London, UK