Blackfly on broad beans

[Oli]

Just come in to the office this morning to find about 30 broad bean plants have blackfly.

The plants are currently around 8" tall, is it too early to pinch out the tops or is there a better way to treat this?

Thanks all

Oli

[perkin]

If the plants haven't fully developed with plenty of flowers then it might be a bit early to pinch out the tops. Next best is simply squishing the little devils by hand but you need to be quite thorough. Other grapes might tell you to spray the affected plants with a very weak washing liquid/water solution but technically speaking it is illegal to mix your own pesticides...

[Oli]

Thanks perkin. Forgot to add, these are The Sutton, so a dwarf variety

[dave_norm_smith]

I enjoy squidging the little gits! I then give a blast of washing up liquid/ water for good measure.

Dave

[Flummery]

I would suggest that weak washing up solution is a cleaner! That's what I use.

[Lotsaveg]

If the plants haven't fully developed with plenty of flowers then it might be a bit early to pinch out the tops. Next best is simply squishing the little devils by hand but you need to be quite thorough. Other grapes might tell you to spray the affected plants with a very weak washing liquid/water solution but technically speaking it is illegal to mix your own pesticides...

Yes, I had a good old lecture once from a DEFRA chap about the illegality of using unregistered 'pesticides' such as 'Fairy Liquid'!!

Having damaged a few plants with this home concoction, I decided to try a bona fide soap based product called SB Plant Invigorator and it worked wonders!! I now use it on all my greenhouse plants weekly and spot treat the outdoor ones as and when required.

[Chef_uk]

Speaking of pinching out Broad Beans. Am i close to that stage yet? These are Bunyard Exhibition variety.



I keep checking for any fly infestation but nothing yet. Still i'd rather pinch them out before any sign of blackfly Picture was taken 6 days ago before we had our first rain for 2 months.

[Flummery]

The last Bunyards I grew were nearly as tall as I am (5ft 9") so I'd leave them a bit - especially as you haven't had any blackfly yet.

[Chef_uk]

Righto thanks

[Chef_uk]

Still no blackfly and they are now just over 4ft tall with loads of broadbeans poking out down below. The lowest virtually full length now. Can they be harvested before pinching out or should harvesting start afterwards?

[Two_Sheds]

You don't need to pinch out at all if you don't have blackfly

[VirginVegGrower]

Yes, I had a good old lecture once from a DEFRA chap about the illegality of using unregistered 'pesticides' such as 'Fairy Liquid'!!

Having damaged a few plants with this home concoction, I decided to try a bona fide soap based product called SB Plant Invigorator and it worked wonders!! I now use it on all my greenhouse plants weekly and spot treat the outdoor ones as and when required.

He gave you good advice as it contains a carcinogen!

[VirginVegGrower]

Still no blackfly and they are now just over 4ft tall with loads of broadbeans poking out down below. The lowest virtually full length now. Can they be harvested before pinching out or should harvesting start afterwards?

They should be harvested as they come. You do this by twisting and tugging the plant but don't rip the plant out!

[baggyman]

Good old chemical blackfly killer is best