Question
My green bean plants look green and lush, however the beans themselves grow to an inch or two and become limp, hollow then yellow and fall off. Please help

Answer
Dear Kendra:

Based on your description of the symptoms of your green beans, I suspect that the plants are infested with a Mosaic virus.  Mosaic viruses result in stunted, curled, and mottled young leaves, sometimes accompanied by yellowing. Affected pods are distorted with dark and light green (and sometimes bronze) blotches. Secondarily, I also suspect malnourished plants even though you describe yours as green and lush. Applying additional balanced fertilizer sparingly could possibly reverse the problem.

Suggestions for future bean crops:

Choose varieties that are resistant to the diseases that are common in your area. (Check with your local cooperative extension service for that information.) Buy your bean seeds only from reputable seed companies because seeds can be infected with blights, anthracnose, or mosaic virus.

Have your soil tested and fertilize your beans according to the soil test recommendations. Plants that have the right balance of nutrients are healthier and less vulnerable to diseases. Low fertility causes weak plants. Too much nitrogen, whether from fertilizer or organic sources like manure, yields rapid new growth that is susceptible to disease problems.

Sincerely,

Mack Jean
AllExperts
Master Gardener
Tennessee