Hmmm - fungus.. maybe a soap solution sprayed on? Nothing visible on the
stalks. I forgot to mention all 9 plants are doing it, they all started
within days of each other and the leaves are dropping where they attach at
the stalk. I will explore a fertilizer that has sulfur in it. We are trying
to be as chemical free in this project as possible. I just discovered, much
to my dismay, that lettuce actually has a flavor to it!
Thanks for the responses.
Al

"Omelet" wrote in message
news
In article ,
"David Hare-Scott" wrote:

"alanr" wrote in message
...
I'm new to gardening. We live in a semi tropical zone and planted some
string beans early October. The 9 plants climbed the 2.5m poles we
placed
and appeared to be doing fine when all of a sudden the leaves in the
center area of the plant have wilted and fallen off. The top of the
plants
are doing OK and the bottom is doing better. There is no evidence I can
see of insect or disease. Temperatures have been 25 - 30 C and plenty
of
rain. We purchased the soil for our little garden, perhaps we should
fertilize? Everything else, broccoli, carrot, garlic, lettuce, tomato
and
celery is doing OK.
Any suggestions?
Thank You
Al

Hard to say without seeing the beans but my guess is it's a fungus.
Under
your conditions there may be little that you can do about it.

David

Add some sulphur to the soil.
--
Peace! Om

"Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help
them, at least don't hurt them." -- Dalai Lama