RUNNER BEANS

Help please. This is my first year growing runner beans.
They are now covered in black fly - presume that's what it is anyway Thousands of them and hundreds of ants crawling all over the plants, presumably feeding on them.

I don't like insecticides - is there anything else I can do please.

 

Pray for some heavy rain to wash the little blighters off

Kandy

 

I have not had any black fly this year but then I have not had any runner beans its been a disaster.

 

We have had a handful, now nothing.Despite all the rain we have had,it seems like they need a lot more water.The flowers are just dropping off,normally a sign of dryness.
The pumpkins we are growing for an allotment competition are growing huge.

Kandy

 

Thanks Kandyfloss and Fancy.
I'm pleased to hear I'm not the only one disppointed. This is my first year growing runner beans and I had already decided that if the crop was as small as it has been so far I wouldn't bother again, but perhaps I will give it another go next year if everyone is having problems. I've been watering them like mad but thought it must be something I was doing wrong (not very good really - although I do try!)

 

Clematis.Don't give up,because I think the whole country is experiencing difficulties this year because of the weather.
I think the heatwave we have just got over has put all the plants back a couple of weeks.
If we were having continous rain,you would be picking them until they were coming out of your ears.
Just be patient and see if I am right.

Kandy

 

just looked at a couple of runner bean plants this morning and for a laugh put runner bean seeds in a hanging basket, they have grown ok and to my suprise there is about 8 runner beans hanging on the outside of the basket, hows that for luck :D

 

Well done Rosa.Perhaps this is the way we will all have to go.Growing them downwards instead of upwards.Fancy selling them?

Kandy

 

HI kandyfloss and clematis guess what I FOUND growing in my greenhouse among the toms.4 very large cucumbers. here!s the story, 4weeks ago a friend gave me 2 cucumber plants and he said plant it outside but I put them in the greenhouse and forgot about it I thought its too late to plant them anyway. today I found them nicely hidden away among the tom plants. what a shocker my first cucumber.

 

I would need some hanging baskets, now i just have to hope they dont fall off as i am on the top floor as they are hanging from my balcony :D

 

by the way clematis do hope you can save yours, can you just pick them off as i do it at times with green fly :eek:

 

is it more hanging baskets you are seeking ROSA?

 

I would need lots of hanging baskets but fancy where would i hang them, got no room on this balcony. :D Also got tomatoes with no tomatoes :confused:

 

Rosa.If you are quite high up then you will have to get your hubby to hold on to your ankles,while you hang down to pick the beans LOL.
Better still you could always absail down the front of your balcony to pick them.I can picture it now.

Sorry just having a blonde moment.You know what us youngsters are like ha ha

Kandy

 

Fancy.Well done in finding your cucumbers.Hope you enjoy the taste.

We had a tomato plant that never got planted out.It stood in it's pot on the soil near to where the other tomato plants were planted,and now it's got tomatoes on it...Mini ring culture I think.

Kandy