Dwarf beans problems.

[smallblueplanet]

We sowed some dwarf french beans in rootrainers about 3 weeks ago. They've been growing well and haven't been outside in the cold weather - taken inside the unheated utility room at night.
I've just noticed they are losing leaves. When examined at the leaf joint they appear to be blackening and shrivelling and the leaf dropping off.
I wonder have I over-watered them for the weather/temperature at this time of year, or is there something badly wrong? Any ideas?

[Nicos]

Not sure really, but I share your thoughts.
We sow our french beans weeks after runner beans etc. as they are certainly more delicate. Have you watered from above?

Not sure if it’s the photo but the leaves do look a bit purple tinged?…a bit too cold / wet maybe?

[smallblueplanet]

Not sure really, but I share your thoughts.
We sow our french beans weeks after runner beans etc. as they are certainly more delicate. Have you watered from above?

Not sure if it’s the photo but the leaves do look a bit purple tinged?…a bit too cold / wet maybe?

They've still got growing tips, so I will leave off so much watering now, they are so thirsty in summer weather, and let them be a bit dry and see how they go.

[Nicos]

Yeh…good call. They look healthy otherwise.

[Snoop Puss]

Maybe it's just my screen, but they look a bit yellow as well as purple at the back. Might they be a bit hungry? Three weeks isn't long, but maybe the'd benefit from a feed.

[smallblueplanet]

Maybe it's just my screen, but they look a bit yellow as well as purple at the back. Might they be a bit hungry? Three weeks isn't long, but maybe the'd benefit from a feed.

They're fairly green and healthy looking, it must be the light.
It's where the leaf and stem meet - there's like a little 'junction' and they've withered at that point. I've looked at the other beans and some runners and they all grow like that. So I think it's too wet and cold, perhaps they should have been in the greenhouse during the day and the house at night. French beans don't like cold soil.

[Snoop Puss]

Sorry about that. My screen must have an odd colour cast. By the sounds of it, the cold is the likely culprit then. I always treat French beans like my toms. Minimum 10 ºC at night ideally.

[smallblueplanet]

Sorry about that. My screen must have an odd colour cast. By the sounds of it, the cold is the likely culprit then. I always treat French beans like my toms. Minimum 10 ºC at night ideally.

and I bet you don't leave them standing in cold water in a gravel tray. Which is what I sometimes do in warm weather, as the rootrainers dry out quite quickly. Just being too casual with our gardening behaviour and got a bit thoughtless. What with this and the seeds, time to sharpen up!