Topic: Broadies - chocolate spot ??

[mc55]

My winter sown broad beans (Aqua Dulce - sp?) are looking very sorry for themselves.  They grew nicely and have been providing beans for a few weeks, but they are now turning black. 

I don't know if they are just dying as they've reached the end of their life, or if I have 'chocolate spot' (?)  The leaves do look to have large 'spots' which are joining together and are turning black. 

The plants that were sown a few months later (Suttons) are looking very green and healthy.

Q - I've cut the dying plants down - should I compost the remains, or burn ??

Thanks
mc

[Robert_Brenchley]

A photo would help. Black patches sounds like old and dying plants, but it might not be.

[mc55]

yeah, I thought of that as I was driving back from the lottie  :-\  The bean pods on the affected plants have 'sun tan' if that helps - look as it they have gone 'rusty' - I've got a pic of the beans, but not the leaves.  Will upload it.

[saddad]

All my Broadies, winter and spring have been a total washout..
 :'(

[mc55]

here is the pic of the beans:

[Robert_Brenchley]

That's old age; mine always end up looking like that if I don't pick them in time. They'll be coarse, but edible. Alternatively, you could keep them for seed.

[Kepouros]

They`re positively venerable.  Leave them any longer and you`ll break your teeth on them.

[mc55]

phew - thanks.  We just can't keep up with them.

[Tulipa]

mc, mine are the same as yours and I am still enjoying them.  This is my first time growing broad beans and I am really pleased with the crop. :)  Even OH is enjoying them and he never liked them before! :)

[Kepouros]

Don`t forget to freeze some for the winter - we`re still finishing last year`s, and they`re just as good as the day they were picked.

[Robert_Brenchley]

My aquadulce's are just ending (I pick any that develop the dark colouration the moment it appears, unless I'm keepig them for seed), and the late-planted crimson flowered are getting loads of attention from the local bumblebees.