Broad beans

[Diamond_Skies]

I am having my first go at growing broad beans and they seem to be doing really well.  However, tonight I was looking at the beans of a neighbouring allotmenteer and discovered hers are about the same size but are blooming.  Both sets of plants have been grown under cover.  Mine are approximately 8 weeks old and about 6 - 8 inches high.  Should I fertilise them?  I've only watered them and potted them on as they outgrew their pots.

Thanks!

[Diamond_Skies]

[RenishawPhil]

Don't worry:)

I planted one lot in Feb. Growing well and looking strong. Second lot given to me as small plants. They are flowering now. Beans look after themselves:)

[Digeroo]

I have some flowering and some not, I think it is just idfferent varieties.  The flowering ones are rather small so in fact I wish they had waited until they were somewhat bigger.

[Diamond_Skies]

Whew!  Thanks for the responses!  It never occurred to me that they might be different varieties.

[artichoke]

My worst broad bean year was the one when I overfed them and got masses of tall leafy growth and very few flowers....

[Robert_Brenchley]

I planted seven varieties at the beginning of March, and because of the cold weather I'm only putting them out now. There's a tremendous variation in the amount of growth they've put on, though nothing is anywhere near flowering.

[chriscross1966]

Express wil flower that small in a good year, some of the longpods not until they're nearly two feet so I wouldn't be worried, but find out what variety your neighbour is growing..... I grew half a dozen types last year but this yera (mostly as I still have tons left in the freezer and I eat loads) I've chopped down to two, Express, cos it is very fast and Masterpiece Green Longpod as until I find something better it is my favourite tasting one.... next year I'll probably start experimenting again and grow those two plus another one or two as testers...