Runner bean problems

[Sueh]

Having a nightmare with this years beans. I put the first lot in pots in mid March in my mini greenhouse. I put cling film over them to start them off and they started to grow. Some grew well and we put those out a couple of weeks ago and the frost killed them. The remaining few just will not grow they look healthy but are still only 6 inches high. Some of the beans were from last years and I found them in their pods out the back of the garden and some were from last years packet and these I think are not growing. These are outside as of this weekend now.

2nd attempt started them off indoors 1/2 and 1/2 again. Grew fantastic indoors and put them out after the last frost. They nearly all died at the tips and the leaves went patchy and white in places.

3rd attempt all from the packet also some yellow and purple bean varieties some of these again grew well indoors but only 1/2 and they are outside and look okay so far okay.

I have planted a few more beans which are now outside in pots and some are slowly growing.

This is my 4th year and I am so dissapointed that I have lost my way on these beans after 3 good years with 3 different varieties. Do you think I should have bought new packets of beans. Or any other tips.

So glad I found this site as I have already found where I went wrong on my tomatoes.
Sue

[DavidT]

Good evening Sue and welcome to the site. You are being much too eager with your beans. You are growing them, then planting them out without hardening them off. Then expecting them tom grow in sub zero temperatures. I`m just hardening beans off and will not plant out until the first week of June. Where are you based, by the way?

[Sueh]

Hi David, thanks for your reply. I'm in hertfordshire. I did harden the beans off outside for about a week or slightly more but I am sure last year I let them grow until they were about 18 inches tall until I planted them. However my husband kept saying he thought we should plant them now. The trouble is neither of us really know. However now I have this site I can at least get advise. Most books I find do not really advise the amature Gardener. I think I shall be on here lots as we are so into our veg growing now, forget the fancy flowers.

Thanks
Sue

[difry]

I have just read your comments on putting out beans too early and this has answered all the problems that I was having. Only joined today and I am very impressed!!!

[Lesley Jay]

Originally Posted by difry

I have just read your comments on putting out beans too early and this has answered all the problems that I was having. Only joined today and I am very impressed!!!

Hi Difry, welcome to our forum! - We do aim to please!

[DavidT]

Good evening Difry and welcome to the site. As Lesley says, we aim to please. Sometimes we even get it right. Just remember, we all had to start at the beginning.

[stupo74]

Hi Difry,
Welcome, sometimes they get it right
This is the "Carlsberg Gardening Forum"
How much of the "competition" do you see
They are not a bad bunch "Me" included??????
Hope you enjoy your stay, cheers stupo

[colin blackler]

Originally Posted by Sueh

Hi David, thanks for your reply. I'm in hertfordshire. I did harden the beans off outside for about a week or slightly more but I am sure last year I let them grow until they were about 18 inches tall until I planted them. However my husband kept saying he thought we should plant them now. The trouble is neither of us really know. However now I have this site I can at least get advise. Most books I find do not really advise the amature Gardener. I think I shall be on here lots as we are so into our veg growing now, forget the fancy flowers.

Thanks
Sue

Following the runner bean saga. I've grown RB's every year for many years. This year I planted them out a couple of weeks ago, as usual. They started off well, and are climbing up the poles fairly vigorously. However, over the last few days, when I've gone to look at them in the morning, several growing tips have simply disappeared. A couple more each day. I don't think its slugs or snails, as they are well above the ground, and in some cases the plant's leaves are untouched, but the stalk now comes to an abrupt end. I've had a degree of slug trouble most years, and managed to contain it, but never noticed this particular problem before. What might it be, & how can I stop it before they're all gone?

[Lesley Jay]

Hi Colin, welcome. Birds especially sparrows will pinch the buds and flowers - could they be the culprit?? If it might be then throw a net over the plants.

[Digindeep]

This year I have had similar problems as Sueh, basically 50/50 sowing success. Some from fresh packet seed and from saved seed.
Can go back a few years ago (not saying how many )similar problems.
Realy don't think it can be put down to one problem, especially as it has been the same result from both types of seed.
Also reguardless of what type, be it dwalf, runners or even broadies..can only put it down to 'ole Mother Nature...
As for Colin's loss of tips to his beans, I'd eer on the side of it being birds of one sort or another, unless you can spot signs of somesort of cutter insect..

Have a good season one and all......

[DavidT]

Good evening Colin and welcome to the site. I agree with Lesley, it is likely to be birds,BUT just remember, slugs and snails can climb.

[Sueh]

Hi All,
My beans are doing better now but I cannot tell you just how many beans I planted that went wrong. Some that just seem to die I left in the ground while trying to plant more from freshly bought packets, well these have come back to life and started new shoots. I do not know if they will be great but I am glad I left them. I also had a few beans I saved from last year over that looked very fat and crinkly and so I decided to just throw them in some earth outside and forget about them and they are now growing very well.

I am growing White Lady runner beans, great crop normally and never stringy, yellow beans and purple french beans and so we shall see what rewards I get this year.
Sue