Broad Bean Question

[treepixie]

I started my Broad beans off in pots as due to circumstances beyond my control and the bed not being ready, they are now about 12inches tall and i cant plant them out for a least another week.

Will they be okay if i plant them a bit deeper? or have they peaked to early?

[bearded bloke]

What variety & what size pots ?

[rustylady]

^ ^ ^ and where are you keeping them at the moment?

[treepixie]

They are in the coldframe and they are in 6 inch pots with 3 to a pot and not sure of the variety as i cant find the packet.

OH has been tidying!!

[binley100]

cold frame is good......not so sure on the three to a pot tho' . I sow mine one to a loo roll middle..

[Hazel at the Hill]

I would think that 3 to a 6" pot should be ok - I sow 2 in a 3" square pot & plant the pot out when they are big enough, and they don't seem to mind that.

I'd harden them off further, TP, by taking them out of the cold frame each day this week then put them back in at night, then you can plant out next week.

[Alison]

It depends a bit on what they look like, if they're that tall and only one set of leaves then they're probably very spindly and leggy but if they look more sturdy then they're absolutely fine. That said, I've had some get very leggy in the past before I've planted them out deeper as you say and, with the provision of an individual stake (or in your case maybe to each group of 3, not sure on pot size) they've still become very good plants. As said above, a cold frame is ideal for them at the moment so I wouldn't worry too much. With regards to how you plant them, I grow mine one to a individual root trainer which works very well for me but do plant out pretty close so that they support each other, totally ignoring the spacing advice on the packet.

[binley100]

I got chocolate spot last year due to them being too close and the weather being too damp, so am being a bit more careful this year.

[treepixie]

Thanks for the help, they are looking healthy and have lots of leaves, so fingers crossed

[binley100]

I'm sure they'll be fine

[lottie dolly]

I got chocolate spot last year due to them being too close and the weather being too damp, so am being a bit more careful this year.

Is that what causes the choc spot,or only excelerates it,that being to close together,

[binley100]

It's a fungal thing , needs good air flow to help reduce the likelihood ..bit like botrytris in toms