Topic: Bean Rust :(

Bean Rust :( 

Hi chaps,

I came back from my two weeks of Christmas break to find that my patch of broad beans has been totally covered in Rust, a bit of an upset as they were growing famously and I saw no problems before I left (I'm guessing I missed the early signs, I'm a bit of a newbie at this). As a result I'll have to content myself with just the early harvest and remove them - it really is that bad.

Now, here's the question. Would any of the supposedly "rust resistant" varieties be ok to plant in the patch, or is it a bad idea? Intuitively sounds like a bad idea, as resistance only goes so far, but I'm wondering what more experienced people would recommend. If not I'm guessing I'll go for capiscum instead and relocate the bean-growing somewhere else... bit late in the season though, maybe silverbeet would be better (I'm in Palmy).

Thanks!

Roger.-

Re: Bean Rust :( 

It is actually quite late to plant them, let alone grow the plants. Mine do this every year around December, which is when they finish producing. I dont worry about it much, and i just dig in a bit of powdered sulphur or about a teaspoon of potash in the area i grew them in, so they rust in the soil is killed, It doubles as an effective fertiliser if you use potash. I also do a preventative spray twice, a fortnight apart on the surrounding garden, to stop it from developing :)

Re: Bean Rust :( 

Thanks for the advice! That doesn't sound too bad actually, I thought I'd have to quarantine that part of the garden or something :D

Yeah, figures it'd be too late to plant more beans. Ah well, it's a good thing I'm omnivorous, I'll plant something else till the next season.

R.-

Re: Bean Rust :( 

Try something other than broads, any other bean will grow happily in the height of summer, especially when soil temperatures are up. Try Purple King Pole Beans from Yates, they are really nice and the purple pigment in them does wonders if you eat them raw.

Or for something a bit different, Borlotti Red Rooster beans are great for pot culture or on the edge of your garden. The pods are flat and reach about 15cm long. They are green/white speckled with red flecking all over, even the beans themselves pick up this trait! They are great for eating the night you pick them, and for drying to add to winter soups too. I planted 3 plants, and we got several feeds out of them (family of 4 would you believe it?)!

Re: Bean Rust :( 

Otherwise, a crop of carrots, beetroot, swedes, turnips would be good for an autumn/winter harvest, or start sowing Brassica seeds now-Cavolo Nero, Brocoletti, Cauliflower 'all seasons', all will germinate and grow now :)