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Blackfly on broad beans

Belinda JarmanBelinda Jarman Posts: 2
in Problem solving

Try an autumn sowing - Aquadulcia Claudia is a good one. Plants mature before the blackfly really kicks in. I get a far better crop from them than my spring sowings.

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  • artjakartjak Posts: 4,167

    Chilli lover, I have just looked and you are in Hampshire(?) For the first time ever, my autumn sown broad beans up here in the Fens have not over-wintered very well.

    I have been told to pinch out the top leaves at some stage (possibly when first flowers appear) to avoid black fly. Does any one know more about this?image

  • chilli loverchilli lover Posts: 290

    Hi Artjak - yes I'm in Hampshire! I always put my beans in polytunnels if that helps at all. This year however rather than my usual autumn sowing, because my mum was ill I didn't get mine in until January and I am still waiting for them to show image I pinch out the top leaves as soon as the first beans start to show at the bottom - don't pinch out when the first flowers appear or you will have no beans! image

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 86,969

    Yes, when the first beans are forming at the bottom then pinch off the top 7 cm of each plant - it will help prevent black fly infestation and encourage the  plants to produce beans.  Don't throw the tips away, steam them and serve with a knob of butter, or cook them in a stir fry - delicious image

     


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • artjakartjak Posts: 4,167

    Thank youimage

  • Belinda JarmanBelinda Jarman Posts: 2
    Thanks v much. I was told an alternative way of cooking broad beans by my Cypriot grocer - he cuts the whole bean, pod and all into about inch long lengths, cut on a diagonal, boils them ( steaming would work also) then tosses them in olive oil, vinegar and mint. It was delicious - not quite as luxurious as the beans by themselves but great with roast lamb, I thought they might be furry, but not at all.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 86,969

    Yes, they are delicious cooked n the pod, but you need to pick them just a little bit younger than you would otherwise.  I don't slice them, just steam them whole image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • muddy maremuddy mare Posts: 106

    I plant nastursham around the broad beans as well as pinching out when the black fly gather on them just pull up and dispose image

  • Liz DouglasLiz Douglas Posts: 28

    I remove the tips as soon as they show it makes the plant bush out and keeps the majority of the flys at bay, then regularly spray with dish washing up water seems to do the trick image

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