Kale Seeds

Both Dwarf and Climbing French Beans can be grown to maturity in a greenhouse if a minimum night temperature of 16-18ºC (60-65ºF) is available. Sowings can be made in January if light conditions are good otherwise defer sowing to February.

A minimum day temperature of 16ºC (60ºF) is necessary although as high as 24ºC (75ºF) is preferable. Temperatures in excess of 30ºC (85ºF) are likely to result in the flowers aborting. Under greenhouse conditions Climbing French Beans can be very vigorous and a proportion of the older mature leaves should be removed to allow penetration of light, which will also improve air movement around the plants, reducing the risk of attack by the fungal disease Botrytis. The crop grows well in growbags which tend to provide a warmer environment for the root system. Under good conditions harvesting will commence 8-12 weeks from sowing.

This fungal disease is rust and it is becoming more frequent in Britain, attacking both Runner and French Beans especially in warm, damp summers.

Black to dark brown pustules develop on the leaves, stems and pods. Occasionally white cluster cups can form on the underside of the leaf. In severe attacks the leaves wither and cropping is reduced.

To help reduce the risk of spreading the disease affected parts of the plants should be removed and destroyed as soon as they are seen. Unfortunately there are no chemical controls available.

Halo Blight is a bacterial disease attacking French and Runner beans. It is more likely to be a problem in wet seasons.

Small water soaked areas appear on the foliage, which gradually dry and become surrounded by a yellow area or halo. As the disease progresses the leaves have inter-veinal yellowing and may eventually become completely yellow. The stem may also be attacked, seedlings may wither and die, and those that survive remain stunted. The pods may also become infected and develop grey, water soaked patches.

The bacteria are spread by water splashing on the foliage. Therefore, overhead watering should be avoided and if not badly infected, remove affected leaves as soon as the symptoms appear. In severe attacks destroy the affected plants. At the end of the season remove and destroy the affected plants and do not save the seed. There are currently no chemicals available to control this disease.