[Goldfinger]

Yet again, my beans are a disaster! 

Not just rust, (AGAIN!)

But this time, some pods have deformed / twisted - and some have kind of burst open and the slugs / snails have been into said pods. 

Last year I suffered rust / chocolate spot, so this year, I learned to space them further apart to aid better ventilation around each plant, but it's back. 

Any idea why all this has happened, deformed pods this time though.

[ilan]

To be honest if you have got any beans you must be doing well with this cold damp weather mine have just not started and most have been got by the slugs

[angelavdavis]

Hi goldfinger,

Are these runner or broad beans you are talking about?

If runners, the description of the twisted pods, etc suggests bean mosaic virus.  Had it for the first time last year, but luckily with only one of two plants.  Nothing you can do about it - it is caused by the seed carrying the virus.  You just remove the plants once you have recognised the symptoms.

[yorkiegal]

at least you've got pods. ive got a few flowers and ever disappearing leaves which heaven only knows what they're getting eaten by. I've only got three surviving bean plants.

[Goldfinger]

Sorry, just so angry that I forgot to say they're broad beans.

And, yes OK I've got pods on now, but they look nice and full but when you open one, they're empty!  :blink:    Nothing - Zip - absolute diddly in them.  :blink:

[Christine]

Sounds a bit like lack of pollinators earlier in the season with empty pods.

Am not holding out much hope of my second lot of broad beans though the Aqua Dulce have been good - with empty pods like yours in some cases.

[Goosegirl]

A lack of pollinators due to the bad weather is really going to affect a lot of veg this year. Just thought - is honey going to be affected price-wise too if the bees are not getting about?

[Goldfinger]

Sounds a bit like lack of pollinators earlier in the season with empty pods.

 

Never thought of it that way... 

Just proves how much we rely on the humble lttle bees to help us along...

Yet others just 'take them for granted'! 

[A Reyt Tayty]

My broad beans have done really well. Set them off in modules last year. Planted out last November. Lost one or two over the winter, but most survived. Took the pods a while to fill out with decent sized beans. Just harvested the lot today before they get too leathery.