Runner beans not flowering ...

[Ann]

Lots of lovely green growth and climbing right up the canes but no flowers yet. Are they just late this year, or are they a complete failure? I have fed them with tomato food to encourage flowers to form ......... Anyone else with this problem?

[boxtops]

Have you perhaps given too much fertiliser, which encourages leaf growth (just a thought).

[Maydup]

I suggest you stop feeding them too. I have never fed my runner beans and I have a good balance of leaves and flowers.

Also pinch out the tip of the climbers once they reaches the top of your canes and you should get flowers soon.

[jamesnan]

We have bad growth, yellow colouring on some of the leaves - but flowers! Not sure what this year's crop is going to bring. Usually by this time they have grown to the top of the canes, with flowers as well. We live in Essex but there seems to be a problem all over the country..

[carrust]

Had similar probs in S Yorks. This time last year the climbing french beans were producing shed loads of beans.

[Ann]

Thanks boxie but I haven't really given very much tomato food, I think it may be the lack of sunshine? Maybe after this week they will start .........