Runner beans having a problem.
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Geoff wrote:
Diggers,
You may remember that a short time ago I recommended using large modified
plant pots (8-9 inch diameter), inverted over runner bean plants to enable
watering and feeding liberally but not wastefully. Well, it has other
advantages apart from watering and slug/snail barrier for I've noticed no
ants which I reckon carry aphids from one part of a plant to another. The
beans still have blackfly but I keep them under control with regular
spraying with a soft soap/rainwater solution. Soft soap is made with
caustic potash instead of the caustic soda used in the manufacture of
household soap which is not anywhere near so effective against aphids.
However, not all in my bean patch is rosy! Some of the plants' leaves are
"bobbly" and become withered and dried at the edges. The affected leaves
are very frangible even though still green. Some - about half - of the
affected leaves had been attacked by aphids but I do not think they were the
cause.
Does anybody know what causes the problem and can suggest an environmentally
friendly way of control please?
Regards
Geoff
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