Broad bean question

My broad beans are getting a bit leggy, I have started to harden them off, but it will be at least another 10-14 days before i can put them out.

My question is this :- can I cut the plants stems down a little, hoping that they then grow more stems, therefore more beans?

 

Pinching out the head was always advised, not really cutting back but similar.

 

Is that right? I've not heard of that. I know about taking out the top to encourage bean formation and to deter blackfly. What's the thinking there Pete? Am I missing a trick?

 

Thankyou Freddy, I must admit its been a long time since I grew any.

I think you are right, yes, used to pinch out the tops to get rid of the blackfly once some of the flowers had set.
Not sure where I was coming from there.

I know I used to end up with about three stems per plant, I guess they branched naturally.