Auckland
October
Q.
Hi Tui, why are my runner bean leaves curling?
Deb
A.
Hi Deb,
With limited information it is hard to say what is causing the leaves to curl, but here are a couple of suggestions. Usually curling leaves is a response to physiological problems such as too hot, too cold, too wet. Alternatively, it could be damage from sucking insects such as aphids, look on the underside of the leaf and see if you can find any insects that could be causing the damage. If there are signs of insect pests, talk to your local garden centre or DIY store for a solution. Curling of leaves can also be caused by virus disease, this can be carried in the seed from season to season, or spread by insects. My guess is that it still hasn't warmed up sufficiently for beans yet, soil temperatures are still cool and overnight temperatures are still low. As temperatures warm, your beans should grow out of their curling if it is just climatic. Apply Tui Seaweed Plant Tonic, it helps plants tolerate temperature fluctuations, and also makes plants more resistant to pests and diseases. Apply this every 7 days at a rate of 70ml per 9L watering can. The Tui Team.
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Why are my runner bean leaves curling? Comments
Hi, I’m not sure why my scarlet runner beans leaves are drying out and curling. Could the soul be too acidic? Everything else in my garden is thriving.
Andrea
Hi Andrea, when leaves do this, it is usually a physiological problem or insect damage. Physiological problems could be too hot, too cold, too wet, too dry, over application of fertiliser causing burning of the leaves or insecticide spray damage. They can be frost tender as well. The only way to know if your soil is too acid or too alkaline is to do a simple soil test, test kits are available from garden centres and DIY stores. If the other plants in the vegetable garden are thriving, then it is not likely to be soil pH.
Lianne, Tui Team