My neighbour at the allotments showed me his broad beans today, and
they are not doing very well.
Some of them have blackened leaves and quite a few have died completely.
As he pulled one up, he found a small beetle. Could this be causing the
problem?
Any advice which I could pass on to him would be very much appreciated.
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The seedling in the photo looks like it has rotted around soil level as it sent down a healthy long root into the soil.
I'd suggest that it has suffered in all the recent wet weather and that a broad bean re-sow is probably the best course of action.
The insect I would have thought isn't the problem being either happening along at the time you found it or perhaps feeding on the rotting leaves. (i.e. not causing the plant's collapse)
My own BB's this year have been sown later than usual because of the wet but should eventually get a proper crop from them. :happy7:
I've had problems with them rotting when they've been in pots too long, but not in the open ground. I assume that's where this one was. I'd have thought re-sowing would be the solution. They're vulnerable to waterlogging, but if it was spring planted I would have thought that would be a problem. Planted now, they should be able to grow away fairly fast, which gives them a better chance.
No beetle but my over winter ones look similar. I also put it down to too much rain, deer, cold wind and frosts.
Best sow some more. I covered my early sowings with plastic bottles and most are ok, but where the bottle blew off they also look similar.
I've had overwintering broad beans that look similar and I have left them and they actually gave me a good crop. I don't know if these will but it's worth a try is he has the space?...if not then I wouldn't risk it and I would start again.
I now sow my overwintering broad beans in my cold greenhouse in January in toilet rolls and plant out at the end of Feb/beginning of March and this way the seem to do well without the worry of will they or won't they grow.
Thanks for your replies, I will let my neighbour know what you think.
It's strange really, because my own beans, sown last November, are thriving (hope
I haven't spoken too soon)
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Gosh they look terrific! This year I have 10 plants in :-D But with new small plot I don't have room as before. It will be just enough for some salads.