Crimson flowered Broadies problem...advice please

[northepaul]

Hi all
I have three crimson flowered broadies in my veg bed. They seem to have nothing but trouble. Firstly a plague of blackfly, which I (fingers crossed) managed to get rid of, one was so infested that I was forced to remove the growing tip. Now all the new growth leaves on all three are very wilted and unhappy looking. One leaf going brown. (They have been watered when needed etc) I cant see any bugs and there are no holes etc.
Any ideas?

NB I have suttons as well, which dont seem to have any problems at all, odd blackfly from the crimsons but lovely strong growth etc....

[Alison]

It does seem strange, I'm not having any of those problems with mine and my only concern is that they are rather short for the time of year - last year's were much taller but then again the weather will be a factor. I planted mine out in about March and the only time I've watered them was when I first planted them from their root trainers and they survived well even in the couple of weeks of no rain we have just had. Sorry can't offer any advice but maybe you could post photos?

[Flummery]

Same as Alison. I find them a really trouble free broadie. They were much less prone to blackfly attacks than any other last year.

[Two_Sheds]

I also found them much less prone to blackfly than the white flowered ones. If the leaves are wilting, has something chewed through the stem or the roots? I lost a plant yesterday to ants burrowing through the rootball

[ginger ninger]

Mine are romping away now the warmer weather has arrived there 3' tall and covered in masses of flower's, they're starting to show sign's of bean's as well. No problem so far with any pest.
Could you dig them up and transplant them in a different area of the garden/allotment? It could help...just a thought!

[stupot]

I have a couple of 1-2inch beans and lots of baby ones. A few more weeks then nom nom nom nom!!

[Alison]

Same as Alison. I find them a really trouble free broadie. They were much less prone to blackfly attacks than any other last year.

Mine did originally come from you though Flum so there may be different strains. Am pleased to say that all the saved seeds have come true so am very happy - just looking forward to the beans now, was about to start harvesting this time last year

[Flummery]

Don't the seasons vary? Still, a bit of warmth and things will soon catch up.

[northepaul]

Thanks for the advice guys, - blackfly seem to have gone, but I did notice some ants so will have a little investigation around the roots. They are looking a bit better but still rather wilty. Only about 18" high too.
Nothing attacking the stem at all.
How odd that you say they are not so prone to blackfly, mine are! Out of interest, they are called crimson...ie red but mine are dark pink?!? Is this normal?

[Jeanied]

I think the crimson is a bit of a red herring, Northepaul. Geddit?