[Kajazy]

Hello - should I be feeding my broad bean plants (in flower, but not very tall)? If yes, what with?

Thanks for any advice!

[Paul Plots]

I don't feed mine but in the autumn before I plonk in several barrow loads of compost.

It may be that you have a short strain of broad beans - they are not all tall. 

[Salmo]

Just water, especially when in flower until the pods have set. If you feed them they will grow tall and get infested with blackfly. Keep in mind that you want flowers and beans, not leaves.

[galen]

Slightly off topic, but what has happened to the blackfly investations on my Broad Beans this year - or have they decided my Strawberries are nicer 

[Paul Plots]

Slightly off topic, but what has happened to the blackfly investations on my Broad Beans this year - or have they decided my Strawberries are nicer 

Nope - they are all on my broad beans!! 

Out with the hose early tomorrow morning - I am going to wash the lot off again.

(It seems to take them about a week to clamber / fly or be carried back up by the ants)

[aqua]

I have none on the broad beans i grow in my front garden - i guess they flew past on their way else where, not on the lottie yet either but those are only just starting to show a flower or two.

[Paul Plots]

I picked a carrier-bag full of broad beans a week ago and have another three lots of plants at various stages so perhaps the blackfly have moved south for warmer drier (?) weather and a mass sit in?  :blink:

[chriscross1966]

Blackfly infest beans cos the ants farm them and defend them against predators.... put down the gel-based ant-bait stations (or make some and get the refill gel, it's cheaper...).... I put ant-traps out when my plants went out this spring.... there aren't any ants left now and my beans are still clear.... several others on my site are showing signs of infestation, but killing the ants off seems to be working for thiose trying it.... A couple of ladybird larvae will go through blackfly like combine harvesters through a wheatfield..... if there's no ants....

[Paul Plots]

Blackfly infest beans cos the ants farm them and defend them against predators.... put down the gel-based ant-bait stations (or make some and get the refill gel, it's cheaper...).... I put ant-traps out when my plants went out this spring.... there aren't any ants left now and my beans are still clear.... several others on my site are showing signs of infestation, but killing the ants off seems to be working for thiose trying it.... A couple of ladybird larvae will go through blackfly like combine harvesters through a wheatfield..... if there's no ants....

And a force 9 hose-pipe washes the lot off in a few minutes watering the plants at the same time and dampening down the ants. 

[aqua]

i have learned something from you Chris - it is just like greenfly on other things.

[Paul Plots]

Slightly off topic, but what has happened to the blackfly investations on my Broad Beans this year - or have they decided my Strawberries are nicer  

Nope - they are all on my broad beans!!  

Out with the hose early tomorrow morning - I am going to wash the lot off again.

(It seems to take them about a week to clamber / fly or be carried back up by the ants)