[Grubbypaws]

For the first time EVER I do not have blackfly on my broad beans, I think it is just too wet for the ants. I have always followed the advice to pinch out the tips of plants to prevent blackfly. Question: even though I dont have blackfly do I still need to pinch out the tips to help pod development or is this a myth?

[InWarwickshire]

Might as well. Once the leafy bush forms a the tip no more flowers form.

[Grubbypaws]

Might as well. Once the leafy bush forms a the tip no more flowers form.

So I pinched them out and my OH stir fried them for dinner. Delicious 

[missmoneypenny]

Don’t think it makes a jot of difference TBH.

[Odders]

For the first time EVER I do not have blackfly on my broad beans, I think it is just too wet for the ants. I have always followed the advice to pinch out the tips of plants to prevent blackfly. Question: even though I dont have blackfly do I still need to pinch out the tips to help pod development or is this a myth?

I tend to pinch out after five 'sets' of flowers, as the upper ones rarely produce much if anything, possibly robbing the lower ones of nutrients.