Runner beans falling? :s

[Kittydog17]

Hi I was just wondering if anyone could answer my dad's problem, he's been growing runner beans for years, but now the beans themselves are falling off too early and they haven't grown fully yet, does anyone know why this would be happening?

Thanks for any answers I get, hopefully I'll get some or he'll get all mopey :P

[horty]

Hi Kittydog17 This is quite a common problem and thought to be due to weather conditions (very dry). I know your Dad will have been watering them, but that still doesn't do the same job as rain. The good news is that if the weather gets better (more rain) he will get plenty more set (stay on) as the plants are determined to grow. Hope this helps, wouldn't want your Dad to be too mopey! H.

[Thunderbird+]

I agree with horty, theres nothing like a good drop of rain to green and brighten everything up and hopefully brighten your dads face up too. Good Luck. T bird+

[WendyS]

The flowers on my runner beans too having been failing to set into beans. This happens when the weather is too hot even if they have been regularly watered. It always used to be recommended on TV gardening programmes that in warm sunny weather you mist spray your beans at midday with a spray gun or gentle hose to give them sufficient moisture. This does help a little . If the weather turns cooler, your dad will probably find that the beans start to set and then grow to full size.