Runner beans flowers not forming pods?

So being my first time growing these I'm not really sure when to expect the bean formation. Right now I have a few clusters of red flowers, where some have opened up and seem to be shriveling/drying up a few days later. So I'm guessing these are failed beans? Have been reading about the possible reasons behind failed pods and none seem to obviously apply to me. I did notice today however, a bit higher up on the plant, that the main stem was damaged where I cable tied it to the pole a bit too tightly. The leaves above are alive so the life in the stem must not be completely severed, but it does look ropey and dried out there. Anyway, I'm wondering if this could be the reason behind the failed pods? Is the plants energy going elsewhere because of that damage maybe?

I don't have an answer, but can share a similar experience. I'm growing runner beans for the second time this summer. Last year, mine flowered and dropped the flowers as you describe for a long time before they ever set beans—we might have had a month of flowering before I saw a single bean start to form. This year, it's a little better—I have one bean, last I checked—but the same thing is happening to an extent.

My best guess last year was that it was related to heat. I'm on the southern edge of where runner beans will grow in zone 6b, and I have read they can struggle to set fruit when it's too hot. So depending on where you're located that might be worth considering as a factor. They did eventually set a crop for me, though, so hopefully they will for you too!

Matt Mill wrote:I don't have an answer, but can share a similar experience. I'm growing runner beans for the second time this summer. Last year, mine flowered and dropped the flowers as you describe for a long time before they ever set beans—we might have had a month of flowering before I saw a single bean start to form. This year, it's a little better—I have one bean, last I checked—but the same thing is happening to an extent.

My best guess last year was that it was related to heat. I'm on the southern edge of where runner beans will grow in zone 6b, and I have read they can struggle to set fruit when it's too hot. So depending on where you're located that might be worth considering as a factor. They did eventually set a crop for me, though, so hopefully they will for you too!

I read about hot nights being a cause, but it's definitely not that as it's winter here. Unless cold nights can do the same thing.

I can only think the bees aren't pollinating. I haven't been around during the day to try and see.

Dropped flowers but no tiny beans forming?

Sounds like a pollination problem to me. Are you seeing bees and hummingbirds on the flowers?

Runner beans, like fava beans, won't set pods when daytime temperatures get in the 80's F or higher.

Hm! Interesting to note. I guess I haven't seen that, but we don't have extended periods above 28C and mornings are cooler.

I agree with it being the heat. My runners produced great in the spring, but have totally stopped setting pods now that it's so hot; even though they are still blooming like crazy. I'm hoping they'll start making pods, again, when temps go down this fall.
This is my first year growing them, too, so I'm just kind of watching and waiting to see what they do.