they're continuing to grow upwards (about 4' in some cases).
i have ants but no blackfly.
i have plenty of blooms (some lower ones dried and dropped off).
i have the occasional bee.
i have no pods.
erm ............... am i supposed to be helping in some way.
::)
cheers m'dears.
Given all the rain we have just had, this may not apply.........but.........
Also first year with broadies - only have four plants. About 5 weeks ago had loads of diddy beans forming on all the stems - did a happy dance ;D
Checked again a few days later and nothing :'( slug pellets sprinkled and netting applied but still nothing
I read that peas respond well to watering when in flower to help the pods to set, so I gave the broadies LOTS of water everyday during the dry spell - seemed to do the trick, now have lots of pods developing further up the plant ;D The slug and bird defences are still in place - just in case.......
My broadie pods are about 1" long and tiny. I checked today - after the flowers go, there's a sort of waiting period before the little pods show.
My ancient Italian plot neighbour was complaining his beans (autumn sown) never recovered from the frost in February. I've always admired his beans and asked for the variety. He scratched his head and said hesitantly 'Sweet Water'. A new variety or a heritage bean? Then the penny dropped ... he's italian ... aquadulce! ;D
Some of my broad bean plants are as tall as me! Ridiculous!! No blackfly, plenty of flowers, and finally, baby pods coming. Dunno what we could do to help with the pods, don't fancy fiddling around with the flowers and little paintbrushes! What about a sign by the plants - 'Bees Drive Thru' or 'Nectar Fast Food Bar'?
well looks like the blackflies have come to my plot. however, as there were lots of ladybird couples madly in love (or lust) i just let them be
i had lots of pods lower down and but none on the upper levels - i guess the blackflies are sucking out the juice.
I am convinced this is an odd year for broads. Normally by this time I am freezing beans but we have not even had a pick yet.
The over wintered beans have suffered but the spring sown ones look pretty good. Little sign of the fly either!
Jerry
I've picked nearly all my broad beans, but do agree that this year was a late one for them, normally they are over and done with by Whitsun for me.
i feel better now. trust me to pick an odd year to start growing things.
;D
Chuckled a bit when someone recently said BBs shoulder high. Never had them more than 3'.
Still chuckling - these are 56" & growing!! Pods 4". Just been out doing the blackfly rounds.
First time growing broad beans and mine are nearly finished producing pods. I put them in over winter would that be about right?
Blackfly inspection has revealed ............PODS !!!!!!
I did a circuit of the bed punching my fist in the air going WOOOHOOO!!!
;)
rosyred - i think so. mine put in in winter, producing pods now - like i said only at the lower layer, the upper has produced nought!
a few more pickings and then it will be over for them
I did a mini trial of four varieties and for me Witkiem seems to be the one that has produced the most, with Aquadulce coming in second. the other 2 Bunyard and the Sutton are very poor. We've had several good pickings and I've frozen 2 lots (meal sized portions) but they are definitely slowing down now. No blackfly on any of them though. :)
It is our first year growing broad beans too. Most of them had flowers on at the bottom during the cold spell we had a while back. I don't think there were any insects around to pollinate them, and a lot got blown off by the wind, so there aren't too many pods lower down. However there are some pods, and some higher up, about 3-4" long now.
The plants are about 4-5' but I pinched the tips out to stop the blackfly (at least I think that is why I was supposed to do it). They are all bunyards exhibition.
Pinch out the tops to avoid the fly - yes - so it is said.
But, surely, if you pinch out, you're stopping the growth?? And more flowers??
Yeah, I figured pinching out the tips would stop more growth and flowers but we have about 20 plants and only my mum and dad eat the beans so I don't really mind.
At least they will be here to eat the broad beans, normally they go on holiday just as all the vegetables (which I mainly won't eat) are ready!
My broadies were planted late (end March) and this is my first year without blackfly. Is there a connection?
i sowed mine on 23 March and planted them out 1 April and not a blackfly to be seen.
I have lots and lots of blackfly, if anyone wants me to send them some.
I have blackfly but only on the foxgloves and Dahlias, we tend to grow Red Epicure as our fav BBean, they overwintered well last year but both thye and Sutton were a disaster this time, our first spring sowing of Epicure are just coming into flower!
;D
Two questions:-
1 Has anyone eaten broad beans in a method similar to mange tout peas, ie the young small pods cooked whole, and if so what are they like? I have been told they would be extremely bitter.
2 OH seems to think that you can treat the tips of broad beans like sprout tops (always assuming no blackfly present). Has anyone cooked these?
valmarg
Yes to all!
Broad bean tops are always talked about this time of year - if you do a 'search' you should find several mentions.
See also http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/joomla/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,57/topic,20514.0
:)