Grow Your Own Magazine

My broad beans leaves are covered in a rust looking virus. Is this the chocolate spot that they can suffer from and if it is, do I have to burn the affected plants or can I just add them to the compost heap as usual?

Sounds like chocolate spot! I got it on my beans and panicked as one of my books said that it was the worst disease broad beans can get! However, after consultation with other sources it would appear that is not soooo bad and does not affect the edibility of the beans. I've been eating mine and haven't died yet!! Apparently it can be caused by overcrowding the plants and also due to the soil not having the required minerals. Next year I'll try planting further apart and making sure I add more fertiliser to the soil.

I'm not sure about the compost heap issue but would be very interested in any answers other people might have as I will have the same issue when I come to clear my beds.

To be honest if you suspect any sort of disease I would burn it.

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comprehensive advice here from the RHS:
http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile...broadbeans.asp
seems you can compost the debris. My beans have been ruined by choc spot...the wet weather has made it really vicious this year

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~ What do I think of Western civilisation? I think it would be a very good idea ~ Gandhi

thank you for all your advice. I definitely had crowded them in too much. A lesson learned for next year!
I will be added them to the compost heap, I'm glad all that nitrogen wont be going to waste....

i have started growing broad beans, they are about 3 inch high, they have started getting black on the end of the leafs, i read that it is to late growing them, am i wasting my time with them,? i hope some one can advise me, thanks john

Chocolate Spot - very commo and not too easy to control, but generally pretty harmless. Not sure if planting the beans further apart will make much difference - and also not really practical.
JimJim2 - you are not too late for broad beans - I have sown approx 5kg of Witkiem Manita, with the last rows been sown two days ago - the first are about the same as yours - 3" high. I think it really depends on what variety you are sowing.

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Rat

British by birth
Scottish by the Grace of God

Blog updated Wednesday November 13th

Chocolate Spot - very common and not too easy to control, but generally pretty harmless. Not sure if planting the beans further apart will make much difference - and also not really practical.
JimJim2 - you are not too late for broad beans - I have sown approx 5kg of Witkiem Manita, with the last rows been sown two days ago - the first are about the same as yours - 3" high. I think it really depends on what variety you are sowing.

__________________
Rat

British by birth
Scottish by the Grace of God

Blog updated Wednesday November 13th

Why are you repeating yourself Rat?

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ntg

Never be afraid to try something new.
Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark.
A large group of professionals built the Titanic

http://grief-encounters.blogspot.com/

Why are you repeating yourself Rat?

__________________
ntg

Never be afraid to try something new.
Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark.
A large group of professionals built the Titanic

http://grief-encounters.blogspot.com/

Seeing double - must cut the gin ration!

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Earth laughs in flowers. Ralph Waldo Emerson

www.vegheaven.blogspot.com

Updated November 17th - The Big Dig