Grow Your Own Magazine

sewer rat · #1 (**permalink**) 28-06-2008, 10:07 PM

I have / had three double rows of Climbing French Bean Blue Lake in my tunnel which reached the top of their 8ft canes, and were merrily travelling along the crop bars and overhead irrigation system too. Loads of flowers and just starting to set beans when some leaves started to turn yellow. So, thinking it was possibly a trace element deficiency, added Epsom salts to their diet but problem got worse.
On closer inspection it appears that the first row of plants had developed stem rot (Sclerotinia to give it correct name). This disease then spreads throughout the plant and even flowers which fall off onto lower leaves can spread the infection - Really annoying that it has happened just as I was contemplating starting to crop the beans.
I have removed the first double row but now the next row looks as if it is heading the same way.
Any advice on whether I can save the remaining plants ( and how this may be done) or should I quit now, rip them out and plant the space up with something else.
From what I understand the disease can travel in many ways - water, soil and air included so no real way of identifying the source of the problem.
As a matter of interest, I checked the root system of every plant I removed and they all appeared to be perfectly healthy.

SarzWix · #2 (**permalink**) 28-06-2008, 11:39 PM

The RHS reckon that you shouldn't grow susceptible plants in infected ground for 8 years

Quote:

Non-chemical control
Do not compost affected plant material, as the sclerotia are very resilient and are likely to survive the composting process. Instead, destroy by burning, or seal in plastic bags and place in the refuse bin.
A number of weed species can also be attacked, so ensure that affected areas are kept weed free.
Avoid growing susceptible plants on infected land for up to eight years

Royal Horticultural Society - Gardening Advice: Sclerotinia Diseases

sewer rat · #3 (**permalink**) 29-06-2008, 10:41 PM

That does kinda scupper my plans for the tunnel next year.

Looks like it'll be strawberries, salads and cukes only next year.

SarzWix · #4 (**permalink**) 29-06-2008, 11:53 PM

Pity the RHS will only give you a list of susceptible plants if you're a member

I've found this info., but it's American. 'Spect it's still relevant though

Quote:

It is commonly found damaging dry beans, sunflowers, soybeans, canola, peanut, and lentils. There are many other crops that are susceptible such as alfalfa, field pea, potato, mustard, safflower, flax, borage, crambe, buckwheat, chickpea, lupine, faba bean and numerous vegetables such as lettuce and carrots. Some of these crops are rarely damaged by S. sclerotiorum, while other are quite susceptible. This pathogen is known to infect about 408 species of plants. Numerous weeds such as marsh elder, lambsquarters, pigweed, Canada thistle, sow thistle, and wild mustard are also hosts and can play a role in disease cycles.

Edit; Found a list on this page; White Mold of Vegetables and Ornamentals
It does say that some soil removal and planting through plastic may help to control the problem?

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