Broad Beans - no beans?!?

Posted by Laine on July 24, 2011 at 2:39am

Hi,

I planted broad bean in feb and they are healthy looking plants, other than a bit of wind damage on one or two. However, they have been flowering for months and no pods have set. The only thing I can think of is I had sugar snaps in the same place in early summer and they are lacking some nutrient because of this, being the same plant family and probably having similar nutrient requirements. However, they have had seaweed tea and comfrey tea over the last few months. Any ideas?

 

Cheers

 

Laine

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Replies

  • Laine July 25, 2011 at 8:46am

    Thanks everyone for your feedback. It seams I am out of step with the beans - I mistakenly thought they would fruit over winter. I will await spring...

     

    Smiles

     

    Laine

  • Ben July 24, 2011 at 9:14am

    Hi Laine,

    I live in AKL, and have notice over the years that no matter what time of year broad beans were planted they don't start setting beans until mid august early September. There is a big hedge of them up the road doing exactly what you describe. They make great winter greens though, we eat a lot of the leaves in salads...

    My theory FWIW is the temperature and length of day has something to do with it.

     

    These days I plant mine in July, and seem to get a good crop at around the same time as everyone else....

     

    Cheers. B

  • Brian Adam July 24, 2011 at 8:27am
    Too early, I'd say. We're in Auckland and March one year was too early, just flowers. Maybe the bumble bees are hibernating.
  • moggy July 24, 2011 at 6:51am
    I would have thought it was still way too early to expect broad beans.
  • Matt Moir July 24, 2011 at 3:57am
    Rember its still mid winter. My broad beans growing in 2 different locations in the city are doing the same as yours. As soon as the season changes you will have alot of beans keep plants staked and use liquid fert such as seaweed, worm/comphry tea . and spread some fresh compost around the base of the plants. Wait untl the spring weather sets in when the beas and polinateing insects are out.
  • Val Davies July 24, 2011 at 3:13am
    I'm pretty sure the flowers just sit there over winter and then as soon as spring arrives they will all turn to pods.
  • josephal July 24, 2011 at 3:13am
    Sounds like the flowers arent getting pollinated, no bees around? My grandad used to say plant in july and you will avoid all the mildew problems, probably makes sense that they would flower in spring and you would get better pollination. Have heard of cupping your hand over flowers and gently pulling away. Also planting in a double row is good.
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