Precocious broad beans - or what ?

[Cutecumber]

It's only the leaves rather than the stems for me, Paul, but the roots is deaded anyway!!

TwoSheds said earlier that modern broad bean varieties are not entirely dependent upon insect pollination - I haven't heard that before, is it true????

[kwa50]

Black flowers on beans!!!!

Hello

Can anyone send me a picture of their healthy flowering broad beans (I have planted sutton) - mine have black bits on the actual pink/white flower - is this the dreaded disease thingy. The leaves look fine and they appear to be very healthy beans if a bit straggly. I have sprayed mine with soapy water is this enough.

Regards

[Flummery]

They do have black bits on the flower. Don't panic! Try Google Images and put in Broad bean flower.

[Paulottie]

Oh dear CuteC. If you have heavy soil there it could have rotted the roots with all this rain. The grubs of bean weavil also attack the roots but I'm not sure when they become active.

I saw 2sheds comment but I'm afraid I don't know if they are self fertile.

[Cutecumber]

Paul - it was strictly my own doing. They were growing fine in 3 inch pots in the cold frame, but we had some very cold nights. The roots in the pots just weren't protected enough. Now they're in the ground and flowering, but not growing anymore... ah well.

I don't have a good reputation with broad beans - I either kill them in the winter or they flower and don't set.

[Frostyward]

Too straggly?

Hi,

My broad beans are very straggly and about 18" long. I sowed them this spring and plan to plant them out in the next week or so - do you think they will be ok?

Any advice much appreciated.

[jackie j]

MY broad beans were planted in the ground last november and they are doing well and in flower

[Flummery]

Hi,

My broad beans are very straggly and about 18" long. I sowed them this spring and plan to plant them out in the next week or so - do you think they will be ok?

Any advice much appreciated.

Harden them off - gradually accustom them to being outside - and plant them - but if they are this tall now, I'd stake them.

[Two_Sheds]

Sorry to gloat, but ... my Supers are starting to bean up Little tiny wee things, but they're on the way.

[Flummery]

Sorry to gloat, but ... my Supers are starting to bean up Little tiny wee things, but they're on the way.

No you're not! You're ENJOYING it!

[Two_Sheds]

Yes, I am pleased. They looked like gonners when we had the snow, but this warm sunshine has perked them up no end.

[Flummery]

Perks us all up, doesn't it? Roll on more of same I say!

[gojiberry]

I've had flowers for a good while now but no beans setting till this last week. You can tell if they have set by gently removing the bottom flowers as they wither. If the flower just sort of drops off then they haven't set. If when you remove the flower there will be a very very small bean it will grow into a big bean. If you do this do be very gentle or you will be pulling all your beans off as well.

Ian

[Frostyward]

Thanks Flummery! They are in and staked and I've told them about all of your with flowers already so that's given them something to think about!