The versatile Broad bean!

[veggiechicken]

Sounds about right, Sylvan. Just measured my handspan = 8" (an octave).

[Sylvan]

Thanks. I'll stick with that then

[Sheilakins]

I’ve got lots of flowers on mine, but they don’t seem to be turning into beans �� all that’s left is a spiky bit no baby beans at all....the flowers have been slowing dying back for about 2 weeks now...but not a bean in sight.....never grown them before so clueless as to what’s going on....I did spray the plants about four weeks ago with garlic spray to discourage the ants off them..so don’t know if that’s the problem.

[nickdub]

Could you post a photo please ? - something seems wrong, but I'm not sure what.

[Sheilakins]

Nick this is the best shot I can get of them..I see a little buzzy friend on them ..but if you look you can just make out there’s only spikes being left when the flowers die back

[veggiechicken]

Hi, I can't see the "spikes"? Blame it on my eyes.
Could they be the baby beans?
To be honest, I wouldn't worry as you have lots of flowers and bees and its still early for beans. I don't have any forming yet.

[nickdub]

Nick this is the best shot I can get of them..I see a little buzzy friend on them ..but if you look you can just make out there’s only spikes being left when the flowers die back

Hi Sheila,
well first up the plants look v healthy, and as VC says lots of flowers. Its not unusual for quite a few bean flowers not to get pollinated, but I have some at roughly the same stage as yours and mine do have a few tiny pods on where the flowers petals have fallen off.

I'm a bit concerned about the honey bee on the flowers - these bees can't get at the nectar normally, as their tongues are too short. Sometimes the bumbles get clever and nip small holes right at the back of the flowers so they can access the nectar easily and if this happens obviously no pollination will take place. Have a v good look where the back of the flowers attach to the plant on the tops, and if you can see a little hole, that'll be the problem. Or watch as a bee visits the flowers, and see what they do.

Happy gardening :-) Nick

[Sheilakins]

Hi, I can't see the "spikes"? Blame it on my eyes.
Could they be the baby beans?
To be honest, I wouldn't worry as you have lots of flowers and bees and its still early for beans. I don't have any forming yet.

They’re deffo there Veggie...I just can’t get a good enough shot of them...but I’m keeping my fingers crossed for some beans at some point ��

[Sheilakins]

Oooooohhhh on closer inspection I think I see a couple of baby beans appearing

[Sheilakins]

Hi Sheila,
well first up the plants look v healthy, and as VC says lots of flowers. Its not unusual for quite a few bean flowers not to get pollinated, but I have some at roughly the same stage as yours and mine do have a few tiny pods on where the flowers petals have fallen off.

I'm a bit concerned about the honey bee on the flowers - these bees can't get at the nectar normally, as their tongues are too short. Sometimes the bumbles get clever and nip small holes right at the back of the flowers so they can access the nectar easily and if this happens obviously no pollination will take place. Have a v good look where the back of the flowers attach to the plant on the tops, and if you can see a little hole, that'll be the problem. Or watch as a bee visits the flowers, and see what they do.

Happy gardening :-) Nick

Just went to take a closer look at the back of the flower like you said Nick and I think I’ve spotted to teeny tiny beans forming ...posted a picture.

[nickdub]

good news then :-)

[Sheilakins]

Hi Sheila,
well first up the plants look v healthy, and as VC says lots of flowers. Its not unusual for quite a few bean flowers not to get pollinated, but I have some at roughly the same stage as yours and mine do have a few tiny pods on where the flowers petals have fallen off.

I'm a bit concerned about the honey bee on the flowers - these bees can't get at the nectar normally, as their tongues are too short. Sometimes the bumbles get clever and nip small holes right at the back of the flowers so they can access the nectar easily and if this happens obviously no pollination will take place. Have a v good look where the back of the flowers attach to the plant on the tops, and if you can see a little hole, that'll be the problem. Or watch as a bee visits the flowers, and see what they do.

Happy gardening :-) Nick

Just went to take a closer look at the back of the flower like you said Nick and I think I’ve spotted to teeny tiny beans forming ...posted a picture.

[muck lover]

I think your ‘spikes’ will grow into beans!
They’re sooo much better than mine which are wee stumpy pathetic plants which I think didn’t like the snow this year.
Thinking of planting some crimson flowered ones in the flower beds next year.

[Sylvan]

My lower leaves are turning yellow. Is this a sign of the broad bean apocalypse?

[Derbydal]

My lower leaves are turning yellow. Is this a sign of the broad bean apocalypse?

iv'e got the same thing on mine ! i'll try a bit of feed on monday ,does any one have any recomendations please ? atb Dal.