Aquadulce Broad beans - what a flop.

[Ricardo]

I just picked my first season's crop of Aquadulce - what a disappointment!
Seemed to be loads of large pods on plants over 1m tall, in raised beds, but when I opened them all had really thick pods and about half the pods were empty.
Last year I used a variety called Stereo and they were much better IMO. I thought Aquadulce were supposed to be prolific heavy croppers.
Not for me down in Surrey this year they ain't.
Now I don't know whether to persevere and get another bunch of empties or get some Frenchies underway in the greenhouse and pull the BB's out when the FB's are ready. ('cos the snails had me french b's at the same time as they had a midnight feast with my runners).
Grrrr...

[perkin]

Sorry to hear that Ricardo. Weirdly I've had my best year year ever for Aquadulce bbs. Dunno if it's the strange spring weather but I've been picking well-filled pods for a month now. Are Stereo an overwintering type or do you sow in Feb?
Would suggest you now follow with something you know to be reliable - that way you'll forget the disappointment more quickly...

[Two_Sheds]

I had a great crop of Aques myself, but I did sow in November... they suffered in the hot dry April/May we had, the last few pods were empty, as you say

[skell43]

I have had a great crop from the Aquadulce, so can't be the variety. Got lots of pods full of nice beans and hardly any blackfly on them which killed them all off last year,but have had the same problem as you with my dwarf french beans,they are munched on by snails and slugs every night!! Keep sticking in more seeds but think the snails are just watching me and saying thanks!!

[Two_Sheds]

^ yep, they love the low growing French beans. They've had every African marigold I've planted this year, but they still want more
Greedy little blighters

[Ricardo]

Would suggest you now follow with something you know to be reliable - that way you'll forget the disappointment more quickly...

- They were supposed to be the reliable ones!
back to the drawing board as they say.

[Arthur Pounder]

I have some of these this year. When do you think would be a good time for them to go in, and what do you normally pop them in after? Would the onion bed be ok?

[zazen999]

That reminds me - I've got a bucket of these that need depodding and freezing......sorry Ricardo.

Arthur - I sowed some a few weeks ago and they are 6 inches tall already. Will be sowing another batch soon - and they will be cloched as the weather cools to see if I can get a late crop.

[Arthur Pounder]

Hi Zazen - I was hoping to do the overwintering thing so I can get a headstart next year?

I am clueless about timings yet.

[chris]

September-October according to realseeds (I just bought some to try and overwinter them too).

Broad Bean Seed

[mrswadders]

sorry to hear that - I had the same problem with them last year - thought it was just me.
I've grown a variety called dreadnought this year - what a difference!! I've picked over 10 lbs already and loads more to come. Even the smaller pods are full and solid. I do tend to pick a bit smaller than most - just that I prefer them like that.
Would definately recommended this variety - got them from Kings.

[salilah]

Re BB - I'm quite keen to try these ones
Seeds of Italy - BROAD BEAN LUNGA DELLE CASCINE 1KG. UK ONLY.

However, they only supply in 1kg packs for £15!
Would others be interested e.g. if I bought a pack then sold smaller quantities? I'd put up another thread and collect names & emails from those interested
(Moderators - please remove this message if I am breaking any rules!)

thanks

[Plot06]

Aquadulce can be a bit here or there from a spring sowing in my experience. However, from an Autumn sowing Mid October round here I've had good results . My favourite variety for spring sowing is The Sutton, small plants, loads of pods with good beans in, nice sized beans and on our plot very reliable.

[Two_Sheds]

they only supply in 1kg packs for £15!

Why? That seems silly

[Two_Sheds]

I was hoping to do the overwintering thing

September-October according to realseeds

In my experience that's too early. You want them to be quite small going into winter, as any tall floppy growth will just get destroyed in the winter gales

I sow in November, hoping the plants are only about 4" tall before winter closes in
If you're further north than me you could bring this forward by a week or two I suppose