Just a wee bit of advice on whether to pull off any side shoots and have just one stem growing or let them grow to their own devices. My Dad says pull them off, his Brother, my Uncle says leave them on and they are both good old gardeners.
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Broad Bean advice
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I've never pulled off the side shoots. I sometimes nip the tops out to stop the blackfly infesting them.
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I'm no expert on broad beans, but I would have thought that at this stage in the proceedings you want as much leafy growth as possible, because that is speeding the plant on its way to maturity. Once it reaches closer to maturity and has energy to spare, then it might be productive to nip off any newer side shoots, as the slight check this gives the plant might help it switch over to "bolting" mode ie to start flowering and producing beans.
Having said that, it may be that providing a check now by removing shoots may encourage better root growth, thus improving the ultimate yield, and that is the logic behind this idea. Knowing Mother Nature, whatever you do will only work well on some varieties anyway. If I was you, I might be inclined to follow both sets of advice...impossible to know without trying it, I would have thought !There's no point reading history if you don't use the lessons it teaches.
Head-hunted member of the Nutter's Club - can I get my cranium back please ?
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I leave them on too - opinion seems to be on Uncle's side!Whoever plants a garden believes in the future.
www.vegheaven.blogspot.com Updated March 9th - Spring
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