floppy broadbeans panic

[aquilegia]

My broadies have gone floppy due to the freezing weather.

We've had a smattering of snow. It's settled overnight, but mostly melted during the day. Some of the ground is frozen.

They are aquadulces, and are about 4in high.

Will they be ok? Should I cover them?

[aquilegia]

[terrace max]

Did you sow them direct Aqui - or xplant from modules?

[aquilegia]

sowed direct.

[TEL]

mine do the same when it frosty & did last year & they were fine so i think yours will be.

[aquilegia]

thanks Tel - that's what I wanted to hear.

I don't remember mine doing this last year, but then I probably wasn't out in the garden as much.

[John_H]

par for the course, they perk up when the weather turns again.

[Derekthefox]

I wonder whether it is part of the plant's natural defence mechanism, withdrawing moisture from the stems, so they don't freeze hard and then snap ...

[sandersj89]

Even when they go black they can recover, very hardy unless the pigeons get at them!

Jerry

[Robert_Brenchley]

I wonder whether it is part of the plant's natural defence mechanism, withdrawing moisture from the stems, so they don't freeze hard and then snap ...

You may well be right; water obviously expands as it freezes, and plants do need mechanisms like this to stop cell damage by ice crystals if they're going to come through a cold winter.

[Derekthefox]

Gosh I feel all smug now ...  :D

[colleenemp]

Mine are all still happy under their fleece canapy. It blows off them sometimes and no damage done, think I'm keeping the fleece on to sooth my own frost paranoa rather than to help the beans! Have peas in too with same.

[Rosyred]

Will my broad beans be ok to plant in the ground now, they are about 6-8ins high planted in a seed tray?

[Derekthefox]

I would say yes, but you may want to acclimatise them first if they have been kept in a greenhouse or similar protection.