Broad Bean Plants in Pots

[carosanto]

Hi Y'all,

I've neverevery grown broad beans before, and was given some seeds at \christmas, which I planted up in pots and bought on in my conservatory.  They've done well, about 5 inches tall now, and as we speak I'm hardening off - this week in \Cornwall has been good for that.  The variety is Aqua Dulce

I'm hoping to plant out in the lottie soon:  should I warm up some soil first i.e. the old black plastic jobbie, do I need extra manure at every bean station, does this variety need support and how can I stop the dreaded blackfly getting on them later.  Oh, and most of all WHEN should I be doing (or not) all this.  Any pointers would be really appreciated.  Thanks folks in advance.  Caro

[carosanto]

[Bjerreby]

Hi Carosanto

You cannot stop black fly attacks. Learn to live with them.

Get your Aquadulce Claudia in the ground as soon as you can. Later on, when the flies arrive, make sure there are some flowers, at which point you nip off th soft upper shoots..........they are the ones the flies are after.

I wouldn't put extra manure. Stuff a bucket full of nettles,, fill it with water, let it steep for 2 weeks (by which time it will stink), and water the beans with a 10% dilution of the nettle emulsion.  :)

[saddad]

Aqua Dulce is a hardy variety, so in Cornwall you should get them into the soil ASAP... esp if you have hardened them off...  :)

[Rhubarb Thrasher]

you will need to support them too

[Tee Gee]

This is my advice; http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Broad%20bean/Broad%20beans.htm

[Old bird]

Hi Carosanto

There is something that you can do with blackfly and that is get a few small branches of elderflower stuck in the row, amongst the broad beans - only when you see blackfly - and this will certainly get rid of most of them!

Old Bird

;D

[Robert_Brenchley]

Aquadulce's almost unkillable; I can't see blackfly doing it any real harm! I've had the odd plant (always the odd one) covered with the things, and they've still given me beans.

[carosanto]

To all of those who gave me broad bean advice thank you.  They are in, with supports in place, and all thoughts of blackfly dispelled.  Thanks again.

[Cuke]

While we're on the subject of Broad Beans...

Is it too late to sow some direct into the ground? Never tasted them before till recently and liked them enough to find myself buying a packet of seed. But now it seems most people have had them started off in pots etc for a while already so I'm thinking I may be too late for this year...

[saddad]

No, in fact in Gloucester I would think now is ideal for a direct sowing of Broad Beans... anything fancy? Red Epicure have a good taste...  :)

[Robert_Brenchley]

If you want to grow them direct, this is the right time. I always put mine in before anything else, and since I haven't got myself organised this year, I might do it again. It always worked, though I never planted anything but Aquadulce Claudia. They're not all as tough!

[Cuke]

Phew, thats good to know. :)

All being well they will go in tomorrow then.

I've just had a hunt for the seeds and it turns out they're 'dwarf' The Sutton which I'm guessing means they're a smaller kind than normal...?

Anyone know if you're any good or is it worth getting another kind as well/instead?

[tim]

Until MAY!