Broad Beans

[linanden]

New to gardening, growing some broad beans, they have come on well, and are approx 2ft 6 inch to 3ft in height, lots of flowers formng and the lower ones dropping off. I have been told to pinch out the tops when pods start forming. I cannot see any at all, do they form with the flowers,if so why are they dropping off leaving nothing as far as i can see in pod form. Sorry if its a bit of a daft question but i am new to growing vegetables

[taichiperson]

You may not see the pods straight away, they might just be too small - or they have not been pollinated (lack of bees, etc). I presume the pinching out refers to the growing point, the very top of each plant, otherwise they can get too tall and flop over, unless you have them staked or supported.

[gucciman]

the pods will form in place of the flowers, the flowers open to attract insects to pollenate the plant, the flowers fade and drop off, the pods grow in their place. you pinch the tops off so that the plant then puts all its energy into growing the pods/beans rather than more plant. i would have thought that 3ft was too low for a broad bean though, i would pinch them out at 5 to 6 ft

[May1982]

Check out these gardening how-to videos, and I bet they'll help you:
http://www.sutree.com/videos/Garden/125

[Twenty20]

People advise pinching out the new growth at the top to try and prevent blackfly, they love the new growth. You can let the beans grow and not worry about the blackfly or squash them by hand (messy!) or use chemicals if youre that way inclined.

Give the beans a little time to form after the flowers drop off, I'm sure you'll get beans.