Fordhook Lima Beans – Bush Type

Question

Last year when growing bush type Fordhook Lima beans, they produced many empty pods. Most pods never filled with beans. Why?

Answer 1

This could be any number of things but what comes to mind the most are these possibilities: boron deficiency, which is rare but causes flowers and pods either not to form or they abort. Boron deficiency is corrected by application of soluble boron salts. Here is an article that you may find helpful: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/boron-on-plants.htm OR it could be due to a lack of pollination (in which you can add bright colored flowers close by to attract bees). Another possibility for the blossom drop is prolonged hot weather. Don’t fertilize them. They don’t need a lot of fertilizer in the soil, and you may have nitrogen heavy soil. Try adding some phosphorus to the soil. Bone meal is a good source of this. Here is more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/phosphorus-plant-growth.htm