Broadies

[Spunky]

Hi I sowed some sutton broad beans late October and there starting to flower, shall I let them get on with it or is there anything else I should do? Thanks
P.s there in a plastic cloche

[Two_Sheds]

If we get a cold snap they're going to suffer (the roots will be fine, just cut off the blackened foliage if/when it happens)

You're unlikely to get any pollination, because it's still too cold for pollinating insects (broadies can self-pollinate, but yield is vastly increased by insects)

[Spunky]

If we get a cold snap they're going to suffer (the roots will be fine, just cut off the blackened foliage if/when it happens)

You're unlikely to get any pollination, because it's still too cold for pollinating insects (broadies can self-pollinate, but yield is vastly increased by insects)

Thanks two sheds

[kathyd]

could yield potentially be increased with a paintbrush, like with fruit trees?

[Two_Sheds]

could yield potentially be increased with a paintbrush?

No, possibly easier than that: they are "buzz" pollinated: the bee doesn't need to get inside the flower, it just needs to buzz near it for the pollen to 'trip'

Broad beans

[kathyd]

Interesting article, thanks . So a bit of a shake might help, like with sweetcorn?

[Spunky]

That's what I was going to try kathy