[greenhead]

Every year my broad beans are usually infested by now - but not one has shown up (yet)  Is this weather related or just luck!!

[tosca100]

Ssssshhhhhh.....don't let them know you're looking for them!!!!!!!!!!

[Settman]

I think some of your blackfly has turned up on my runner beans,but dont worry,post your address and i will send them back to you 

[8doubles]

Just picked some broad beans and there were a couple of dozen blackfly on one plant.
They are about to get a nice bath in soapy water! 

[mumofstig]

they are all here 

[prakash_mib]

my BBs were sown straight into ground (they are still in flowering stage)  but no black flies.
but 10 feet away My neighbour has it got infested (all of them)

Theory: you might get infested with black fly if you potted them and planted. straight sown ones has stronger stalk which resists black fly.

can somebody support my theory?

[Salmo]

Took the tops out of mine about 10 days ago as there were colonies developing. Further colonies developed on the pods this week. High pressure spray close up soon scatters them. Picked the first last weekend.

[8doubles]

my BBs were sown straight into ground (they are still in flowering stage)  but no black flies.
but 10 feet away My neighbour has it got infested (all of them)

Theory: you might get infested with black fly if you potted them and planted. straight sown ones has stronger stalk which resists black fly.

can somebody support my theory?

Or the neighbours beans are tastier than yours .

[mumofstig]

Or the neighbours beans are tastier than yours

or a bit nearer the original source of infestation.....yours may be next in line   

[prakash_mib]

Or the neighbours beans are tastier than yours .

 
Ah.... 8Doubles.. they dont eat the beans. they eat the stalks (I dont have any beans... just plants at the moment)

or a bit nearer the original source of infestation.....yours may be next in line   

mine is between two plots who got infestation. 

[Aidy]

Been blasting the little darlings for the last week now, nothing then BAM, infestion.

[BabbyAnn]

Theory: you might get infested with black fly if you potted them and planted. straight sown ones has stronger stalk which resists black fly.

can somebody support my theory?

   last year I had a bed of potted on broad bean plants, and also a bed of spring sown seed - both got terribly infested so that theory doesn't work.  Blackfly go for the tender shoots at the top so nipping those off after flowering should reduce the infestation.

Fuuny enough I had a peek at my broad beans this morning expecting the worse ... and (touch wood, prayers and many lucky charms required), I didn't see any blackfly either.  So fingers crossed for this year!

[greenhead]

This year I planted pot grown beans in soil enriched with plenty of horse manure the plants have now reached about 3' and  the stems about 1/2" thick.  The best show I have ever had!!  and plenty of beans forming, should trim the tops now.

[grendel]

I spotted a few blackfly on mine, but then spotted the queue of ladybirds awaiting a feast, so left them to it for today.
Grendel

[Aidy]

Theory don't work.
Mine were planted direct and still got em, if youre gonna get em you will get em, best advice is to snap the tops off as mentioned or as I do use a jet of water every other night to zap em.