My lima bean plants (Christmas beans) look very healthy, but beans never formed in the pods. I doubt that excess nitrogen was the problem, because they got no more than the rest of the garden.
This article might help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/beans/bean-blossoms-no-pods.htm
Why do some plants need a period of cold before germination? Is it simply because they need time to recuperate for the next growing season? Also, will beans such as Lima or Kidney need this?
Mature plants and bulbs typically need a cold period to rest, as you said. Seeds, on the other hand, use it as a survival trait. In order to prevent the seed from germinating before winter comes, it is dormant before it goes through a cold period. Going through this cold period tells the seed that it is safe to germinate now that winter has passed.
No, beans do not need this cold period.
The last two years I've grown limas and got beautiful flowers and a lot of pods, but the pods never 'filled' with beans. Maybe a tiny, tiny bean and that was it. What do I need to do to fix this?
This can be attributed to a number of things, such as poor pollination, irregular watering, or the use of nitrogen feritilizer. A lack of pollinators can cause beans plants too produce less or develop poorly. Plants also need additional watering once they begin blooming. Since these are nitrogen-fixing plants, they do not need fertilizer, with exception to a side dressing of compost, if desired. An abundance of nitrogen will cause little to no flowering and poor pod development.
Also, could you be picking them too soon? If pods are harvested too early, they will not have finished their growth and the beans inside will be far too small.
Simple question but important. We have beans to plant. How many beans do you put in a hole? We found the answers about everything but that, in case you can't tell, this is our first experience with planting bush lima beans! LOL!
As a general rule of thumb: three. This allows for the possibility of at least one not germinating or being eaten (by birds, etc.). Once they come up and reach about 6 inches height, you can thin it down to the strongest plant (or two).
hi
all beans are super easy to grow and almost every bean sprouts so only put on in each whole about a half inch down and about 3 inches apart. I don't know where you are at but as long as its above 50 degrees fair and height and won't be droping below they should be ok
What makes the blooms drop from my lima beans? I have side dressed with 13-13-13 and just had a good rain recently.
Blossom drop is usually caused by stress. Too much water or too little will upset the plants natural rhythm. High temperatures can also cause problems. It sounds as if your doing all that you can. Sometime Mother Nature just won't let you win.
Last year most of my blossoms fell off and very low yield, what is the problem? Someone told me to keep the blossoms misted with water, is that so?
Misting wouldn't really make a difference other than for the purpose of humidity, which shouldn't be a factor. Blossom drop is usually caused by stress. Too much water or too little will upset the plants natural rhythm. High temperatures can also cause problems. It could also be due to a lack of pollination (in which you can add bright colored flowers nearby to attract bees).
In rare cases, a boron deficiency will cause flowers and pods either not to form or they abort. Boron deficiency is corrected by application of soluble boron salts. You can have the soil tested to determine if this is an issue. Here is an article that you may find helpful: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/boron-on-plants.htm
How do I know when my bush limas are ready to harvest? Do they get a particular color? I picked a few yesterday and they were not ready.
Here is an article that you may find helpful: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/beans/harvesting-beans-when-do-you-pick-beans.htm