Topic: Broad Beans HELP!

[Roy Bham UK]

My broad beans have been in flower over a week now a Lottie friend said they need pinching out. :)

My Gardening Book says “Pinch out the tops of the plants when the first pods have began to form” :-\

I’m totally confused now as the flowers run up the side of the stem, so what is the top of the plant? A leaf? :-\

Do I remove flowers and tops? HELP! ::) ;D

[Mrs Ava]

Roy, you pinch out the growing tip, the very toppest point, to stop black fly, but if you haven't any blackfly, then I don't see why you need pinch them out!

[Doris_Pinks]

I never bother pinching mine out, unless they are invaded as EJ says by a blackfly infestation.

[City Gardener...]

I assumed it would encourage the plants to spread, much the same as with Runner beans?

[kenkew]

I pinched out most of mine but only because of fly problems. (Got pic's somewhere.) Normally I would leave them alone. Pinching out early can help prevent fly problems before it starts.

[Roy Bham UK]

 ;D Thanks Guys, so I presume it won't fatten up the beans and make them broader ;D to recap follow the book and wait till I see a few pods B4 I pinch out?

[Robert_Brenchley]

I remember my father always pinched off the tops to deter blackfly. I did the first year I grew them, then realised the blackfly were still there, and not really damaging the plants. Since then I've left them on, and it's never made any difference.

For some reason mine have stayed upright this year; previously they've always fallen over. I'm hoping that this will have made the flowers more accessible, and led to better pollination. They went in late, and are nowhere near ready for picking yet.

[Marianne]

Mine are rather tall (about 3 foot) and have been in flower for the last month!  ::) ???  Although some of the flowers are sort of fading.  ???

I left the tips on as not sure what to do but it does not seem to harm the plant.  This year is all new to me and so, touch and go.  I will learn that way ... ;D ;D ;D
Good luck with all of yours !

[Rose.mary]

My Broad Beans have been flowering ages, but when I looked at them a couple of weeks ago they seem to have lost all the flowers and nothing in their place. but... I have been decorating for my dad (92) and have not been to the allotment for over a week and  low and behold I could not believe my eyes, lots and lots of real live beans.
Guess what was on the menu tonight? ;D ;D
Rosemary

[Marianne]

Oh Lucky you Rose Mary !  So there IS hope for mine !  ;D ;D ;D
Congratulations on having a 92 year old dad!  :D

[BAGGY]

Ours ar finished now.  We only put in autumn ones and forgot to do earlies.  They are too big and tough to eat but were lovely when little.  (Note to self... sow more next year)

[Rose.mary]

Thanks Marianne, but he is an awkward old b*gger, not a word of thanks only complaints that it is taking to long. In 1 week and 6 days I have decorated the whole flat, with help from my brother-in-law. It is me who looks 92 and I am only 68 >:(
Rosemary

[Marianne]

Hahahahaha Rose Mary  ;D ;D - You made me laugh !  ;D

I bet you don't look a day over 21!!  ;D :D

[Marianne]

Well the good news is that I moved my pots around today to find out that the beans have started to grow! :o --- at the bottom --- of the stalks ! 

Thankfully, there is no bad news other than there is blackfly  on my cosmos ... OUt with the jet and down with the horrid beasties !!   ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Nobbyman]

Hi All!!

My broad beans are just beginning to appear but covered in blackfly!!

I have pinched out the tops of the plants is there anything else I should do, or do I just not worry about the blackfly!!

Nobbs xx  ???

[djbrenton]

If you've got them ties up securely, a jet of water to dislodge is normally enough.