[Lottie Digger]

Runner beans on my allotment started well but are going down hill fast. There has been no frost,weather has been fairly mild and not much rain but I have watered a few times. Any ideas please, could it be some sort of blight? I have added a couple of photos.

[mumofstig]

Has it been windy? Sometimes that makes them sulk.
I'd try more watering with a liquid feed and cross your fingers...

[JayG]

I think I can see quite a few blackfly on them (unusual when they're only that size but it does seem to have been a particularly 'good' year for aphids.) They may have sucked the life out of them at a critical time.

You can buy insecticides suitable for veg plants (subject to limits on the number of applications) or you could try soapy water spray, which I find does work, if not after just one spraying.

Then I'd do what Mum says - they need all the help they can get at the moment.

[Pescador]

If they haven't had a good soaking in recent rain, then I would water thoroughly. Next day dig down 15cm and check f it's moist.
If not soak again with more water to ensure it gets down far enough. Then give a liquid feed.
They quite often go backwards after planting and they do appear to be very dry and limp.

[Iecabus]

I have noticed a similar thing with my beans although not as bad. When I first plant them they are a deep green but after a week or so the green colour seems to lighten, almost a sickly green colour. I remembered the same thing happened last year but after a couple of weeks they recovered and started to shoot up the poles. Did you harden off before planting? I didn't, I kind of think that may have something to do with it. I just make sure they are kept moist and they very often recover although I hate to say I'm not sure what ours will do.

[sunshineband]

Remove the black fly with some gentle squishing and then give a decent soak with some Epsom Salts, which will give the plants the means with which to make more chlorophyll and quickly. It is almost as though their leaves outgrow their strength before the roots have caught up, if you see what I mean. The black fly don't help

[Blackpool rocket]

give a decent soak with some Epsom Salts

That's interesting, Mrs rocket uses Epsom Salts in her bath, do you reckon it could be recycled

Br.

[Ivor Backache]

The big leaves in the photo are the seed leaves, and they do turn yellow and die. Their job is done. The true leaves are completely different, (Bit like ash tree leaves)  If they are dying then you do have a problem.
June this year is proving to be a rogue month,with lashings of rain and a north wind. I think the wind is affecting the plants. My outdoor tomatoes are blue, and I mean blue. My runner beans are climbing the sticks somewhat reluctantly. Some of my allotment neighbours are putting up wind barriers. Flaming June