"David Hill" wrote

Bob Hobden wrote:
"Broadback" wrote ..

I have just picked the first of my runner beans, Once they start they
never stop! The freezer will be working overtime the next few weeks.

We don't like them frozen at all so only use what we want. We only
planted half the usual number this year and still we are in a glut so
next year it's half again. We can't give them away locally.

Checked my beans today, about 40 ft row, not one bean, just empty stalks,
I've never had this problem before, could it be that bumble bees cant
pollinate runners? I haven't seen any other bees on them, and no hover fly.

Depends on the Bumblebee, I understand some of the larger ones get the
nectar by biting into the stem of the flower instead of working their way
into it the correct way for pollination. I've only seen Bumbles on our beans
this year but we seem to have a variety of species and in large numbers too.
--
Regards. Bob Hobden.
Posted to this Newsgroup from the W of London, UK