Broad Bean advice

[kilnburner10]

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.

[Capsid]

I've never pulled off the side shoots. I sometimes nip the tops out to stop the blackfly infesting them.

[Eyren]

Have to say I've never heard of pulling the side-shoots off broad beans, only pinching out the tops. That said, I've not yet grown a huge crop of broad beans - I'm no expert!

[gojiberry]

Never heard or read about pulling side shoots off. Not all plants will send out side shoots until you pinch the tops out. From experience you will get beans on the side shoots and it doesn't seem to reduce yield or size of beans.

Ian

[snohare]

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 !

[TonyF]

Don't do it, pinch out the tops at 4 leaf stage but leave the side shoots.

[Flummery]

I leave them on too - opinion seems to be on Uncle's side!

[kilnburner10]

Thanks for all your opinions and I will risk a family feud and go with my Uncle