Leggy Broad Beans

[sparrow100]

Marb mine were really tall and leggy last year. By now they were lying down and snoozing. I staked them with bamboo canes, hedge trimmings and whatever else I could find - had a bumper crop.

[vixylix]

Maybe wind or frost? Just guessing!

Thanks VC - we've not had any frost yet but LOTS of wind so may be that?!

[Marb67]

Well they are no better and one has died. What on earth caused this ? (ignore the seeming green healthy tip as it's fallen off from another plant. It can't be damping off because the pots were cleaned.

[Alison]

Clean pots doesn't prevent damping off although it does reduce the risk.

[Scarlet]

I think they either need potting on or planting out. They look too big for those pots.

[Greenleaves]

If you have kept them nice and cosy in the greenhouse, the sudden cold snap won't have helped as they may have been rather tender still. I am with Scarlet on their need to be planted.

[Marb67]

I think they either need potting on or planting out. They look too big for those pots.

Well they were in the same sized pots last year when I sowed them and were fine until planted out. These ones are also nowhere near pot bound.

[Alison]

Well they were in the same sized pots last year when I sowed them and were fine until planted out. These ones are also nowhere near pot bound.

It's been much milder this winter but with the same low light levels. This will lead to the plants growing differently. What works well one year doesn't necessarily the next year.

[Marb67]

Well still not grown much at all but as they were sown in Autumn I don't want to sow fresh as the flea beetle with get them again. last year these variety did really well and cropped nicely before the summer and pests got going.

The roots are still well inside the pot so not potting on yet. What do you think ?

[Marb67]

Clean pots doesn't prevent damping off although it does reduce the risk.

Ah but this does

He Sprinkles Cinnamon All Over His Garden. The Reason? This Is Incredible!

[veggiechicken]

Well still not grown much at all but as they were sown in Autumn I don't want to sow fresh as the flea beetle with get them again. last year these variety did really well and cropped nicely before the summer and pests got going.

The roots are still well inside the pot so not potting on yet. What do you think ?

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I think they would have looked better if you'd planted them out a few weeks ago! Well, you did ask

Have you tried using cinnamon powder? If you do, let us know if it works please.

[Muddy_Boots]

I sowed my broad beans on the plot last year in November, they came up in December and I had a shock when I went down mid December to see them about 3 inch out the ground. Its a lot of plants as its 3 packs of seeds, when I went down on Saturday they were a foot high and the start of flowers was appearing but none of them were leggy as they all had thick stems.

Mine are the winter hardy variety and its the first time I've planted them but as the winter has been so mild its helped them to grow like they have. Might be an idea to take yours out the greenhouse during the day and back in at night to try and harden them off so you can plant them out as soon as your can.

[lottie dolly]

my thoughts are,they are well overdue to get planted out,i personally have given up on earlies,at present mine are aprox 3in,in seed trays,they will be planted out shortly,i do believe,they will throw up new shoots if the old stems dye off,providing they not rotted,good look

[Marb67]

Ok thanks folks. I will harden off and see what happens.

[Marb67]

Just thought it fair to update on their progress. Eventually they started to grow and flower. Just hope they crop ok before flea beetle starts on them. Already pinched the top out of one of them due to pin prick tiny oval holes.