[Taimi]

I was out checking up on my plants today and several of my runner beans have white patches on their leaves; in a few cases the leaves have totally wilted.

They're growing in fresh garden centre compost in a big plastic lined wooden container so I don't think it's anything in the soil... just wondering if there's anything I can do to help them out or if they'll grow out of it (or if they're a total loss... hopefully not  )

Thanks.

[Fisherman]

I can only think its the cool weather or wind-burn. They should recover especially if it warms up a bit. When you say wilted are the leaves crispy and dry? Were they direct sown or sown under glass or a cloche? If recently planted out they may not have been hardened off enough!

[cooperman]

its cold damage - runner beans are VERY tender the slightest wiff of a chill and they immediately sulk, worse case scenario if they get a hit from FROST they will most certainly die, youve been warned.  I am an experienced gardener and never put my beans out until well after the last full moon in May (which was the 17th this year) and usually not till the last week of may......

You can always take a chance in putting them out early but be prepared for disasters and have backups on the go.....

As an addendum planting the beans early rarely gives you any advantage as the beans planted at the end of May always put a sprint on and catch up - its barely days difference... why bother.. :blink: