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!
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:)
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.
Whew! Thanks for the responses! It never occurred to me that they might be different varieties.
My worst broad bean year was the one when I overfed them and got masses of tall leafy growth and very few flowers....
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.
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...