Broad beans in Containers?

[kcleworth]

Hello,

I've got some Broad-Beans growing in a trough, so far I've got 8 plants but i'm just wondering how I should re-pot them, will I even be able to grow them in containers?

I only have a balcony to grow on so it's best if I can find some way to grow them in containers.

[kcleworth]

They are bunyards exhibition.

[Lesley Jay]

Hi Kcleworth, your broad bean plants will grow just great in containers. I would use a trough similar to the one the plants are in now - how deep is it? Bunyards Exhibition grows to about 40 inches (100cms) in height and want spacing to 6 inches (15cms) apart. I always support broad bean plants with canes and string.

[kcleworth]

Hi Lesley, it's only about a foot deep, i'm not sure if that's enough, and currently they are spaced about 2 inches rather than four. However, I could re-pot some of them.

I've noticed that they've grown quite a lot over night and now may be in need of some support.

Will they be ok to stay in my flexi green-house until they get a bit bigger? Or should I start bringing them outside now?

Thanks for your help!

[Lesley Jay]

Hi Kcleworth, the trough you have will be deep enough so, if you can buy a second one then you can spread the plants out, four plants per trough. It would be better, giving the plants more growing room as they do have quite a biggish leaf. Growing in the ground I would space the plants 10 inches apart but in containers we don't have that luxury! To hold broad bean plants up just put a cane at each end of the trough and using gardening string, encircle the plants tying the string to the canes.

[kcleworth]

I have lots of those troughs so that is no problem. Shall I take them out of the greenhouse?

[Lesley Jay]

Yes, broad beans are hardy. But, as they are growing in a greenhouse you will still need to harden them off for a good few days as the weather is warmer now at night, before leaving the plants outside for good.

[Ian240356]

I plant my broad beans in regular builders buckets. Three or four in each as far apart as possible. Each has a cane which follows the bucker contours, so the beans grow apart a little. It works for me. Take a look at my photo album, just in case I cant photo here.

[Lesley Jay]

Hi Ian, you can post a photo from your photo album on the forum by clicking on the photo that you want to post, then copy and paste the BB code that is under the photo onto your post.

[Ian240356]

oooo it works !