broad bean picking question

[pixie]

When picking my broad beans I have noticed that not all the (seemingly mature) pods have broad beans in them. Some have small brownish seeds or underdeveloped tiny beans in them, and yet from the outside look exactly the same as the pods with good sized beans. Is there something wrong? Should I have left them longer? How do you tell which to pick?

[Hazel at the Hill]

Hello, Pixie! I did'nt notice that with my broad beans - although mine were (impatiently!) sown in Feb and had been flowering, podding and all picked (for a 5 week period) and gone by the end of June - maybe it's a pollination problem?

Sorry I can't help further....?

[moggssue]

Pixie - my broad beans were over ages ago, but they were just like yours, some had lovely fat beans in and some had tiny brownish ones. Sorry, I have no idea why, but at least you aren't alone!

[JennieAtkinson]

Mine too Pixie - most disappointing when the pod looks as though it is full of beans.

I did ask this question earlier in the summer, but didn't get any responses. For me it could be poor pollination as we do not have the bees in sufficient numbers.

[Headfry]

I had some similar problems, I am waiting for next year to see if my 'girls' make any difference to the pollination of my beans and fruit trees.
My hive is some 30ft away at the bottom of my plot!
I will report back.

[bubblewrap]

Had no problems myself.
I put out my first two rows of broad beans as seedlings in late October the second two as seeds in early November (risky I know) I was getting beans from late April to late May/early June.
I was lucky as the frosts we had were not to severe.

[Rob G]

I can't add anything scientific as to why the actual beans themselves didn't develop, but I would have thought that if there is a pod then there was pollination and that the beans didn't develop because of the poor weather. My runner beans have failed almost totally this year and I put that down to low soil temperature; first failure in 30 years in this garden. The broad beans weren't brilliant but not a failure.

One thing to bear in mind is that broad beans cannot be pollinated by honey bees and that it has to be bumbles that do it. I think if I remember correctly the flower shape is such that the honey bee isn't strong enough to get in to the nectar. One intriguing thing that does occur is that honey bees will go to the back of the flower and nip through to get to the nectar - doesn't help the pollination but it is an interesting example of a learnt skill.

Rob

[Alison]

I think it's something to do with bumble bees having a longer tongue or something which means that they can reach the relevant bit of the flower.

[Headfry]

Hi Rob G, thanks for that....I did not know that, but have seen many nip marks in the backs of flowers and wondered who, what, why :-)
Broad bean nectar makes i my mind the best honey! very malty tasting!

[JennieAtkinson]

Thanks Rob that is very interesting.

I'm actually still picking broad beans from the garden - I know I'm a bit later than the rest of you, but I think that is going some!

[Two_Sheds]

Wow, broad beans in Sept! Mine were rubbish, and over (blackened with chocolate spot) in June.
I will try a Nov. sowing this year. Aquedulce Claudia, and put proper support in for hte first time.
Anyone bothered to sniff a broad bean flower...delicious

[shirlthegirl43]

Thanks Rob that is very interesting.

I'm actually still picking broad beans from the garden - I know I'm a bit later than the rest of you, but I think that is going some!

Mine have just come into full flower - wondering now if I will get anything!! Intended them to grow slowly for next year but timed it wrong as we got a really warm spell!

[Two_Sheds]

Oh, and I planted lots of limnanthes (poached egg) in autumn, to provide nectar for early bees - to help with pollination

[pixie]

thanks guys

Is it the yellow colour of the flower that encourages maximum pollination? (with regard to your poached egg flower) I just noticed everyone chooses marigolds for their veggie patches up here.