Knowledgebase

Can you identify the problem with these golden wax bush beans #831679

Asked May 23, 2023, 5:37 PM EDT

These bush beans have turned increasingly yellow and though they have started to produce - each day they are getting worse. I thought maybe rust or spider mites but the rest of my greenstalk planter looks great ( these are top 2 levels) and I don’t see any bugs. They were my first succession so I thought I’d go ahead and let them come in and harvest then remove them. Leaves are starting to turn brown, dry out and fall out. 

Beaufort County South Carolina

Expert Response

sorry, but I cannot tell anything from the description or photo. look at the base of the stem. Is there any discoloration or white growth on the stems and surrounding soil? 

An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 23, 2023, 7:26 PM EDT
From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2023 7:26:29 PM
To: Marida Bruggeman <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Can you identify the problem with these golden wax bush beans (#0101605)
 
The Question Asker Replied May 23, 2023, 8:47 PM EDT

I don’t see any white spots but was able to get some better pictures. 

The Question Asker Replied May 23, 2023, 11:29 PM EDT

I am pretty sure it is a nutrient deficiency - quite possibly potassium. Are you growing in compost or potting soil?

An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 24, 2023, 8:49 AM EDT
Interesting - I’m growing in a container - stacking greenstalk planter and it’s the top layers. Soil has potting soil, worm castings, and melorganite at planting. Every 2 weeks I water in either Morbloom 0-10-10 or Miracle gro (12-8-8?) 

Remaining plants in other 5 layers look great except for a chewed spot here or there. 

This shows the other three greens talks I have - there is a peek of my problem child there at the back. 

Below these bush beans I have edamame and patio variety tomato. 

If you are right it could be that since it gets waters by an internal channel - top to bottom- nutrients leeched down. 

Looks like disease- but I’m a 2nd year gardener so I could be totally wrong. 

What do you think and what would you try? I’m harvesting beans from these daily and they will get yanked out soon - but I’m concerned about the rest of the planter. When I pull these I will amend the soil before replanting. 

I love this ask extension service! 
Marida 


From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2023 8:49:19 AM
To: Marida Bruggeman <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Can you identify the problem with these golden wax bush beans (#0101605)
 
The Question Asker Replied May 24, 2023, 11:01 AM EDT

Marida,

the only way to get to the bottom of this is with a $6 tissue analysis. I would contact the Beaufort County extension office about bringing in a sample to be sent to the lab. Bean samples should be the 3 uppermost mature leaves per plant (1 leaf has three leaflets)

Beaufort Extension Office

Phone:<personal data hidden>

Mailing Address
18 John Galt Road
Beaufort, SC 29906

An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 24, 2023, 11:51 AM EDT
Ok - Since they will only be around another week or so I’ll just move on. I appreciate the help! 
Marida 
From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2023 11:51:57 AM
To: Marida Bruggeman <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Can you identify the problem with these golden wax bush beans (#0101605)
 
The Question Asker Replied May 24, 2023, 12:23 PM EDT

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