Spraying runner beans with water to help them to pollinate and set!

Spraying runner Beans with water does not help the flowers to set.

It is often written - and passed on by 'experienced' gardeners, that you should spray your runner bean flowers with water to help them to pollinate and set into beans. Not so! It has no measurable affect.

Insects pollinate Runner bean flowers, and they need warm conditions to do it! They are unlikely to be so active if you persist in giving them a cold shower! For this reason, it is always best to grow your runner beans in a sheltered position - not too windy - in order to attract the beneficial flying insects. (Some crawl to the flowers as well.

Insects also seem to be more attracted to white - rather than red - flowers. Why not try to attract the pollinating insects by using a white-flowered variety such as 'White Achievement', 'Desiree' or 'Mergoles'.