Author Topic: Unhappy dwarf french beans (Read 3318 times)

suziequeue · « **on:** May 10, 2011, 06:54:01 pm »

Don't know much about these little critters but ours seem to be growing awfully slowly.

We planted them at the same stage as the peas which have shot up and are now 2ft high and producing flowers

whereas the beans have are barely out of the shallow end

The leaves are looking slightly yellowish aswell.

Any suggestions?

Fleecewife · « **Reply #1 on:** May 10, 2011, 07:33:00 pm »

Partly it could still be cool where you are - french beans don't like the cold (not just frost but cold nights/winds/hail like we had yesterday). But also they will not be growing as fast as the peas as peas have to put on some height before they can flower and crop, whereas dwarf beans just need to put on bushiness. Protect them if it gets cold, but once the weather picks up after this cold snap they should be fine and you will have a lovely crop. Peas of course are very hardy.

suziequeue · « **Reply #2 on:** May 10, 2011, 07:38:39 pm »

Thanks Fleecewife

I did check in Dr Hessayon and I couldn't put my finger on anything specific.

I bet they're sitting in there saying "Thees sheety Eenglish wezzerr..... where is my 'andbag"

How come you're back to one star??

deepinthewoods · « **Reply #3 on:** May 10, 2011, 07:40:00 pm »

seconded.
tis early yet for french beans, theyre growing underground ready for the temperature to warm up. mine are the same.

Fleecewife · « **Reply #4 on:** May 10, 2011, 08:26:25 pm »

<<How come you're back to one star??>>

Don't know - think it's that karma - keeps sending my stars flying

Rosemary · « **Reply #5 on:** May 10, 2011, 08:34:53 pm »

Ours aren't even up yet. The runners don't look to happy either. Fingers crossed.

Llandovery Lass · « **Reply #6 on:** May 10, 2011, 10:22:26 pm »

I planted my runners out yesterday for them to be hit by gales and a hail shower, too early, they are not happy but hopefully will recover.

Fleecewife · « **Reply #7 on:** May 10, 2011, 11:45:56 pm »

I always wait until June but even then the weather can turn 'sheeety'

and the poor things shrivel up and don't grow. I keep the main lot in the tunnel - they don't go on producing if we get hot weather in the summer, but by then the outdoor ones which have had the inevitable bad start might just be picking up

We'll all get a crop somehow

ballingall · « **Reply #8 on:** May 11, 2011, 09:30:53 am »

God, I'm glad I brought mine back in last night then! Only started just putting them out to harden off, but decided it was a bit too windy last night despite their sheltered spot. I didn't realise they didn't like the cold to that extent. My broad beans seemed fine in comparision.

Beth

ellied · « **Reply #9 on:** May 13, 2011, 09:01:14 am »

My runner beans aren't even up yet, I only planted them about 10 days ago, didn't dare plant before early May

The peas are up but only about 4" or so and still under black netting - just at that stage that I am wondering whether to remove the net before they grow through it and tangle themselves, or whether removing it would doom lovely wee plants to destruction

I'm looking for longer twigs to raise the mesh but it won't be down to the ground on all sides if I do and gaps between pieces mean intruders