Dwarf runner beans with yellow leaves.

[Catrina]

Three weeks ago I planted some dwarf runner beans called Blue Lake. I started them in 3" pots and when they were large enough I transplanted them into their growing position.

Three weeks later they had not grown at all but had all gone yellow and looked very sick. I watered them with feed and I also had put some well rotted manure in the bottom of the hole.

When I looked at the seed packet I realised that they were old seeds which I had missed so I dug up the plants and transplanted some very healthy dwarf runner beans in their place called hestia. That was Wednesday. Yesterday my healthy bean plants are now starting to look sick and I really dont know why. Any suggestions.

Last year now I think about it I planted some sweet peas inthe same place and they all died without doing much.

[Grovsey]

I have a nightmare with beans this year.....most come up and then the leaves seem to just diappear and you are left with a green stalk and some tiny distorted leaves which never grow...last year everything worked a treat!!

[Flummery]

Blue Lake is a climbing french bean, not a runner. Did you plant them out very early - they shouldn't go out before all danger of frost (and that includes air frost) is past. Same conditions are needed for Hestia. If they were out before Mid-May they could have got a chill. This will cause the leaves to yellow and it also checks the growth. The fact that the seeds were old doesn't matter. If they germinated they should have done ok in the right conditions. Not sure about last year's sweet peas but I really suspect you have planted out too early and your beans have caught a chill. If you leave them they will probably recover and you will get a crop. Sow them later next year and give them a good long hardening-off period.

Grovsey, I think your beans have been got at by slugs. This is exactly what they do - you are left with a sad little stick.

[Catrina]

Sorry I meant climbing not runner. I think I must have planted out too early because we did have a frost but we covered up with fleece but obviously they still didnt like it. I will be aware of it for next year. Always in too much of a rush to plant out I think. Thanks for that info though.

[Flummery]

It's not too late to have another go. Plant outdoors now, either directly in the ground if you don't think mice and slugs will have a field day - or in pots on a patio or paved area. They won't need the heat now but you should still be in time for a crop. Have a go!

[Catrina]

Thanks Flummery I am going to the plot this afternoon and I will try again. I feel a bit cross that I pulled the Blue Lake plants out because they might have grown if given the chance. Never mind I wont do that again.

[gojiberry]

I have 6 different types of climbing/runner beans, 5 are doing really well but one (yard long) have gone yellow and some plants have died. It is due to type and their tolerance to cold and chill. Next year I will make sure the yard long are not planted out till begining of June.

Ian

[Flummery]

I seem to remember reading - years ago so I could be wrong! - that yard long beans need to grow under glass. All the time, that is.