broad beans and tomatoes

[pumpkin cuddler]

Hi

we had loads of broad beans come up from dropped seeds last autumn and we thought we could grow them in the greenhouse and might get a good crop.

Sadly, yes they flowered and yes they looked great. The tallest we have ever had. No beans though.

But one thing that happened was they got absolutely covered in green aphids and greenfly.

Due to being ill for a while we were unable to sort this out.

Today I got in there and it was worse than I had thought. So many aphids they were dropping all over the floor before I could get the plants into the bag.

Our main fear is we want to grow tomatoes in the greenhouse this summer but are worried that although we will really wash all the glass well. Will the aphids that dropped to the floor. 1) live in the soil and crawl back up over the tomatoes or will they turn into the aphids that attack the roots of plants.

We have always grow as organically as possible but want to really solve this possible problem as best as possible.

Please please help as we love our toms and would hate to have a bad crop.

Thanks

[WendyC]

I've never come across aphids feeding off roots and never had them on tomato roots. Or perhaps I have and never noticed! I think if they were on the lovely juicy shoots of your beans, then that's the part of the plant they want to be on. They are revolting when they take a hold.
You say you garden organically, but how do you feel about burning a sulphur candle in there? The smoke will get in all the crevices that, with the best will in the world, you can't get to when washing. There are about £5 from the garden centre. I'm also wondering whether you could spray a little ***** fluid on the soil. Never done it personally but someone no doubt will be along with other ideas I'm sure.

[bramble]

I burn a sulphur candle in the greenhouse every year at the beginning of the season and I feel it gets the everything off to a nice clean start. At least if you get any predators later in the year it wont be so hard to keep on top of them.

[Penellype]

There are aphids that feed off roots (called root aphid) - I used to get them on my lettuces at my last house. I think they are a different sort of aphid from the ones that attack the leaves though.

Have you any ladybirds in your garden? I have loads in mine. If so, catch some and put them in the greenhouse, as they eat aphids

[Jeanied]

Your broad beans are designed to be fertilised by bumble bees - probably why you didn't get a crop. I am always pleased to see my broadies flowering at the same time as the white dead nettle on my plot as the two of them really attract the bees.

[Alison]

When did your broad beans flower, I always grow an early spring crop in my tunnel and get loads of beans. If it was very late in the season then maybe it was just too cold.


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[kathyd]

I've been shaking my broadies a bit in the polytunnel - I'm sure someone on here (Twosheds maybe?) said this would pollinate them in the absence of bees? I'm afraid I spray my greenfly with a dash of bio washing up liquid in water - the soap kills them by the next day, although you always miss some and have to reapply.

[Kristen]

They are self pollinating, but you will get a better crop if they are cross pollinated by Bees. Like a lot of so-called self pollinators - Fruit trees for example - better crops to be had by cross pollination.

[kathyd]

Mmm, it's just an alternative in the absence of bees for an early crop

[pumpkin cuddler]

Just wanted to say a big thanks to all of you that replied and gave advice.

Really helpful.

Yes we went out and bought a sulphur candle and it really really seemed to do the trick.

Everything inside is well and truly dead. We managed to get out lots of the spiders and 3 days on the greenhouse is now being repopulated with them. We had tried getting ladybirds in there but it didn't seem to work. but then the infestation was crazy too.

In answer to the question about the flowers they actually flowered before Christmas! We had been going in there and giving them a gentle shake but got no beans. But it was an experiment and the seeds were just ones that had fallen to the floor and germinated outside.

So once again thanks for the advice.