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Runner beans - underwatering?

KarolinaWKarolinaW Posts: 24
in Problem solving
This is my first time growing runner beans (or vegetables overall to be honest).
Today I noticed that the first leaves are a bit grey and wilted/dry on the edges. New ones are fine (photos attached). Could it be caused by underwatering? The other runner bean plant I started growing at the same time and has the same care, looks fine.

Old/first leaf:

New:

Posts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    Where are they and where are you? I only put my seeds in last weekend and won't plant out until first week in June. We get Frosts until end of May here in the Derbyshire /Notts borders.  Yours  could be six foot high by then.
  • KarolinaWKarolinaW Posts: 24
    They are on the window sill, sunny spot. I planted mine probably a bit too early, about a month ago. These are dwarf runner beans, I was thinking about planting them out maybe in a couple of weeks. I live in Bristol.

  • nick615nick615 Posts: 1,487
    Runner Beans are notoriously thirsty, KarolinaW, so standing your pots in shallow saucers/dishes with a regular supply of water will help them grow.  In case your soil might be acidic, a little granular lime will improve alkalinity, a must for the pea and bean family.  If you're able to use open soil (not pots) in which to grow your beans, it's not difficult to grow an excellent crop in a small area with good preparation.  I always get 24 plants in one square yard of garden see pic.

  • KarolinaWKarolinaW Posts: 24
    Thank you Nick. These are dwarf runner beans, so fine for pots. I'm planning to plant them in raised bed.
    I watered them this morning, they got lots of sun, but it got worse:


  • nick615nick615 Posts: 1,487
    OK!  For supports that they can climb up, pairs of chimney/drainage rods will last for years.  Good luck.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I think you have the answer … “.., they got lots of sun, but it got worse …”

    If the leaves had not had a lot of sun before they won’t have developed the protective pellicle on the surface to prevent them scorching and drying out. Sunlight through  glass can be pretty powerful at this time of year. 

    Have you got anywhere sheltered where you can put them outside on sunny days and bring them back in before evening, to harden them off and toughen them up?

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Too much sun. Sun, even not much sun, is too much for young plants near a window.  :)
    A cooler window would be better if you don't have a blind or similar, and certainly getting them outside when weather suits, is the way to proceed as @Dovefromabove says.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • KarolinaWKarolinaW Posts: 24
    Thank you both so much, you were right of course. I'm hardening them off for the last 3 days. So far they are still alive haha!
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Hurrah!  👍 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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