[Monkeynuts999]

Hi
I'm writing on behalf of my old man who recently got an allotment. Fair to say that he is loving it! He has experienced probs growing his broad beans; but not sure why! So this is a plea for help, suggestions etc. He planted them Jan, but to date have only grown around half a foot high (some much lower, some slighly higher). No beans on them yet. People are telling him they should be "much taller" - indeed, neighboring plots broad beans are! Should he be worried?! Help appreciated. Thanks

[DavidT]

 Good evening and welcome to the site. What variety is you father growing?

[azubah]

If he is growing 'the sutton' they are a dwarf variety so that would be normal. I have not seen any broad beans in flower on our site yet so I think it is too early for them to flower just yet. They will come when they are ready.

[whistler]

My Aquadulce Claudia are only about 12 inches high (planted in Feb) and one row, just one row have some flowers on already!

[sunshineband]

They sound just fine tbh 

Glad to hear your Dad is enjoying his plot so much 

Could I ask you to add your locality to your profile please, as growing conditions vary so much across our membership 

[ex-cavator]

I've got the same problem with my Suttons - I planted them out about 3 weeks ago & they don't seem to have grown since - they're about 6" high but are flowering 

[solway cropper]

My overwintered beans are festooned with flowers but this year's planted ones are a few weeks off that yet. It's been a very unusual winter and spring (except to us oldies who remember these things) and most plants are weeks behind their normal schedule. Be patient....plants make their own minds up when they want to grow and are not dictated to by seed merchants or gardening gurus.

[Celtic Eagle]

The Sutton is a dwarf variety and to me what you are describing sounds about right. Mine are at the same stage  and looking good.

[Swing Swang]

Also sounds OK to me - my overwintered beans are very short too this year - lots of flowers though - no bad thing really as they'll need less supporting!

[Goosegirl]

My broad beans - Bunyards Exhibition - have been planted out about 6 weeks or so and they too are very slow in growing. Flower buds are forming and I have noticed a little growth this last week but with the frosts predicted for this week it may just slow them up again. You never know - we may just have a bumper crop this year! 

[azubah]

I'm feeling left out! My beans have no signs of flowers yet..

[andy135]

My giant exhibition longpod are now around 12" high with their first batch of flowers. 

[Wombat18]

Mine are around 8 - 10 inches high at the moment with a few flowers.  From what I remember from last year I think they will shoot up as the weather gets warmer (if it ever does)