First ever home grown broad bean

[cariann88]

I am just growing broad beans for the first time. Is it normal for the flower to drop off?

[BertieFox]

The petals fall away once the bean starts to form after the flower has been pollinated. Is that what you mean? Otherwise, if the flower is falling off without setting the embryo bean pod, it is because there was no pollination.

[Two_Sheds]

Do you eat the pods aswell?

You can, but I don't like them

Is it normal for the flower to drop off?

Yes, that's where the bean comes from: inside the flower.

Broadies don't absolutely need insect pollination, but you'll have a bigger crop if the bees can get to them.

[cariann88]

The petals fall away once the bean starts to form after the flower has been pollinated. Is that what you mean? Otherwise, if the flower is falling off without setting the embryo bean pod, it is because there was no pollination.

This is my broadbeans. I have never grown them before. The flowers are dropping off but I don't see no pods growing.

You can, but I don't like them

Yes, that's where the bean comes from: inside the flower.

Broadies don't absolutely need insect pollination, but you'll have a bigger crop if the bees can get to them.

How come you don't need insect pollination? I thought you did. I am growing them in a raised greenhouse bed.

[jacob]

Look at the ones that have dried and blackened, but not dropped off. Inside some of these you will spot a length of green. That's the pod forming. The other thing to look out for is the connection of the flower to the stem thickening.

You won't get one bean per flower, only a fraction will set. Broadies seem to be quite sensitive to soil quality, but you should probably expect somewhere between 5 and 15 pods per plant. (Someone will now tell me that they get much more now...)

[jacob]

How come you don't need insect pollination? I thought you did. I am growing them in a raised greenhouse bed.

Pollen can get to the carpel (?) and fertilise with plant movement, but broadies are expecting insects to do this bit for them. If you're in a greenhouse, leave the door open for the insects to get in!

[cariann88]

I've been in the garden this afternoon and noticed something with my broad beans......



Wooo they are starting to get pods

[Trix]

Wow these all look fab - but are they meant to be really early beans? I have nice bushy looking plants, about 6-8" tall I'd guess and some more just sprouting. Is this miles too late or are they likely to catch up?

[Jonnyt]

5 pods per plant? Surely you meant 50


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[cariann88]

Wow these all look fab - but are they meant to be really early beans? I have nice bushy looking plants, about 6-8" tall I'd guess and some more just sprouting. Is this miles too late or are they likely to catch up?

Thanks. I am not sure. I have never grown them before. I planted them at the end of October last year. I should be expecting them to be fully grown end of spring maybe beginning of summer.

[Trix]

Oh, that makes sense - mine only went couple of months ago. Impatient!

[sammy_roser]

Mine have not grown at all well this year about 40cm high and very staggly plants. Had some flowers but no sign of any beans yet.