My Poor Beans

Broad beans that is, planted out in containers these last four weeks. They have grown really well and have looked healthy. Spotted the first pods recently and will be eating them as youngsters very soon. However, I noticed yesterday that some of the later flowers had turned black and slimy, now they have had a thorough wetting recently and I wonder if that may have something to do with it. Also the newest leaves have lots of tiny holes in them? I have kept my eyes out for blackfly and have squished some but not huge numbers around. Any thoughts?

 

Capsid bug maybe ?

 

If they are very tiny holes on the lower leaves it is probably flea beetle. There`s not a lot you can do except keep the plants and the area around them moist. David.

 

Only some of the new leaves seem to be affected, they have been oiked out and binned. So we will just have to wait and see. Thanks for the suggestions, Dai it's the newest higher leaves but watering like a demented watering thing all the same.

 

on our allotment flea beetles is rife. I was given a useful tip by a Polish lady next to my plot. spray salted water on the veg and it keep all the insects away. IT WORKS not too much salt please.

 

Talking of salt Fancy, did you know that if you sprinkle salt in the drill when you are sowing beetroot, you will get a better flavour? Not too much salt though. David.

 

now you are winding me up :D :rolleyes:

 

David,I read that one in a Peter Seabrook gardening book I have though he says to sprinkle it along the rows of beeroot when they are forming to improve the taste. I am not sure though whether the salt would harm the soil,so it is right Fancy what David says

[ 01. July 2007, 12:09 PM: Message edited by: Kandyfloss ]

 

Not too much salt though Kandy, please!
Royster

 

I believe you Kandy.I hope the allotment guys dont see me sprinkling salt on the beetroots, they think I am going round the twist now.

 

Fancy, trust me I`m a gardener. David.

 

Never tried it, but I have heard of the salt trick on beetroot, the expanation I heard was that beetroot is a costal plant, naturally.