my broad beans all have a very tiny black marks on each bean where it would appear to be hiding an insect of sorts. The outside of the pods also have the same marks. Any idea what it is and how it can be avoided?
I put grease (vaseline or similar) aound the bottom of my broad bean plants - this seems to work quite well as the ants won't climb up through the grease and therefore the blackfly does not seem to appear of colonise
Yes, I too read with envy 'blackflyless broadbeans', so I am glad you have levelled with us. Usual advice is to take out the tops when the bottom flowers have set (formed small pods).
My Aquadulce did very well this year which were sown in Nov. 07, increasingly I am growing veg in blocks rather than rows as this makes them self supporting. BB Red Epicure for supper tonight seed chosen as GW recommends that veg with colour have more antioxidants.
I noticed too that the black bean aphid was not so strong this year so perhaps it was the ants that had tough time in last years rain? There is a silver lining to every cloud!
Never mind the broad beans - it's my poor nasturtians I'm worried about, I have never seen blackfly like them! How could anyone use them as a sacraficial crop!
I wondered if peppermind tea or tansey might help! I'll try the detergent first!
I heard somewher you could spray with a solution of boiled rhubarb water for blackfly BUT do you boil the leaves or the stems - or both - or does it matter which? Anyone know if it works???
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My Aquadulce did very well this year which were sown in Nov. 07, increasingly I am growing veg in blocks rather than rows as this makes them self supporting. BB Red Epicure for supper tonight seed chosen as GW recommends that veg with colour have more antioxidants.
I noticed too that the black bean aphid was not so strong this year so perhaps it was the ants that had tough time in last years rain? There is a silver lining to every cloud!
I wondered if peppermind tea or tansey might help! I'll try the detergent first!
Thanks
I heard somewher you could spray with a solution of boiled rhubarb water for blackfly BUT do you boil the leaves or the stems - or both - or does it matter which? Anyone know if it works???