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25 Aug 23, Jan (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Why do my beans, be they climbing or bush, always develop rust on the leaves. Once the climbers reach about 30cm they develop brown spots on underside and if left the rust becomes very powdery and the leaves become distorted. I cut these leaves off and put in the bin. This happens to any bean seeds I plant and happens no matter what bin I plant them in. I might add I do get a good lot of beans, they do not seem to be affected (I do think I could have a longer growing season if the rust was not there) and so far the rust has not affected any other vegetables. Could there be something in the soil that causes this rust and what can I do about it. I do make my own compost and fertilise the soil before planting.

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22 Sep 23, Faith Celeste Archer (Canada - Zone 5a Temperate Warm Summer climate)

From a publication (University of Mass) CORRECTIVE ACTION IS: 1. Rotate bean with non-host crops. 2.Plow under infected crop residues. 3.Eliminate volunteer bean plants. 4.Select planting dates and schedule irrigation to avoid long periods of leaf wetness when temperatures are warm. 5.Disinfect poles in production of pole beans. 5.Avoid over application of nitrogen and ensure adequate potassium fertilization. 6.Plant resistant cultivars. ==> your issue is the rust sort of creates these pustules that allow the rust to survive over winter, or during crop rotations. You need to ensure you dig the old plants deep into the soil, clean your equipment (poles, garden gloves etc.). I would be inclined to use SULPHUR -- "Sulphur Dust Fungicide and Miticide" is usually what it is called. This dust can be sprinkled all over, on the plants etc. or can be mixed with water and sprayed. Also avoid planting beans in areas of "stagnant air" the plants need to be able to dry out -- in other words water on the plants (moist leaves and stems) are great breeding grounds for your rust. It's actually not a difficult problem to resolve, once you know what needs to be done -- remove and bury infected leaves, and/or sprinkle with sulphur dust, mitigate moisture retention (get the air flow going -- maybe you change up the arrangement of planting so the air flows through the plants and whisks away the moisture.

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06 Sep 23, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Try googling about the rust problem.

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12 Nov 22, (Australia - temperate climate)

will my climbing beans flower again when the possum eats all the flowers

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08 Mar 22, Kelly (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

In my past experience of growing beans like scarlet runner in Southern Tasmania, they are prolific. And now, I am in Northern Coastline, I have to do the opposite of everything I have done in Tasmania. Nonetheless, it is all about knowing and tweaking the timing. We can always trick the plants to do what we want them to do. (Gardening is not as organic and natural as one may think. It is highly mathematical and formulated if you want the best yield). Good luck experimenting.

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11 Mar 22, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Yes, growing stuff in southern Aussie seems to be a spring summer thing whereas in the northern half more like autumn winter. Gardening is about germinating and growing in the best season to suit each crop to achieve the best results. I don't grow much in summer because of cyclones, heat, wind, rain, humidity. It is the old - reward for effort equation.

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02 Mar 22, Dena Vidovich (Australia - temperate climate)

Why aren't my runner beans flowering?

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02 Mar 22, Liz (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)

It might just be a bit early . Try spraying with some cool water.

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21 Nov 21, Steve (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

I live on sunshine coast and was wondering can I plant corn, sweet potatoes and bean in the same patch. So that the bean grow up the corn with the sweet potatoes under neath

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17 Mar 23, Veronica @Bundaberg (Australia - tropical climate)

Sweet potatoes are more a perennial plant, meaning they can be left in the same spot for at least 2 years. Furthermore, when harvesting, you need to dig around in the soil, which is not convenient to other plants. We grow them solely in their own beds. The three sisters is a better way to go.

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