Leggy Broad Beans

[Novice Gardener]

I think I might have been a tad eager and have sown my broad beans too early. I sowed them in loo roll inners then popped them into an unheated propagater on my kitchen windowsill two weeks ago, and they're really tall. They have the first seed leaves, plus another two sets of leaves each and are about 8inches tall. I've been turning them each day so they don't bend towards the light, but I'm not sure what I should do now as its far too cold to put em outdoors yet. Should I start hardening them off or just scrap em and start again in a couple of weeks?

[lynda66]

can't you pot them?

[Novice Gardener]

can't you pot them?

Would that make a difference?? I'm fairly new at this. Thinking about it, maybe that would make the roots stronger so hopefully the plants would grow on to be nice and strong. Thanks for your advice

[Capsid]

I think they don't need to be indoors at all, they are very frost hardy. Put them outside and they won't get so leggy.

[Jameslovell]

Mine have been in a plastic greenhouse outside since late November and are about 4-5 inches tall on average. I have potted them on into larger pots in early Jan. I'm sure if you stick them outside they will slow down and get stronger but slower growth.

I would have put mine straight in the ground, but the bed wasn't ready. Was going to sort it out this weekend, but now just the small matter of 4inches of snow to melt first.

[andyp]

Sounds to me like you have an excellent spot for germination, but I am guessing the light must be poor. 8" in two weeks seems amazing to me. But its worth trying to rescue them by harding off or potting on, however I have read Broad beans don't like much root distrubance.

Get another batch under way, but get then out to a cool green house or cold frame with more natural light sooner. If you end up with to many, its always nice to share !!

[Novice Gardener]

Thanks for the advice. I think what I'll do is pop them into bigger pots, but still in their loo roll inners so I don't disturb the roots, then pop them out under a poly cloche for a few days, then hopefully by next weekend the bed at my lottie will be ready to take em. One last thing.... when I plant them out, I was planning on doing so in two rows, about 8 inches between each plant and about 12 inches between the two rows??? Does this sound right? Also will I need to support them??

[Jameslovell]

I'm planing on planting mine out in 12inch squares.
And yes they will need supporting. A single cane should surfice.

[Paulottie]

Too warm and not enough light...Id say just learn a lesson and start again... they will probably just rot off at ground level flopping about in the wind.

They are tough things broad beans and grow better that way, you can put out a cloche/ black plastic for a few days to warm soil and then sow direct. If you want early beans with less blackfly then sow in November..otherwise wait till March to sow.....all much easier than bog rolls etc .... if you insist, germinate and move them to a cold frame cloche the moment they are up.

[Two_Sheds]

You weren't too early, you just did them too warm. They are very hardy, and don't need to be indoors ... it just makes them leggy, as you've discovered.

Do some more, but outside. Sow direct when your soil has warmed up/dried out in a month (seeds just rot in cold wet soil), or start some off in loo rolls in a coldframe (no heat).

[Flummery]

Many varieties can go outside in Autumn. If you're not sure, wait till end of Feb or March and sow again - either in small pots or directly into the ground. Good luck this time.

[shaymen]

Get them in now, plant them deep, they should be fine, and maybe start a few new ones just in case

[Two_Sheds]

Get them in now, plant them deep, they should be fine

You can't take them from a warm cosy propagator and plant them straight outside. They will die, and it's cruel

[shaymen]

You can't take them from a warm cosy propagator and plant them straight outside. They will die, and it's cruel

Well the way I read it was they were in an unheated prop, not a warm cosy one !!

[BarleySugar]

Mine germinated in the cold greenhouse, and I'm hardening them off before I plant them outside. Even from a cold greenhouse they have more 'weather' to contend with outside (rain, wind, snow ), so I wouldn't plant them direct. If you want to give yours a chance Novice G I think you have the right idea, get them used to being outside gradually before planting in the bed.