It’s exciting to see the first slender, bright green bean pods forming on your vines. But as they grow, you notice some pods look bent twisted or curled instead of straight. So what causes curly green beans?
While some curling is normal excessive distortion usually indicates an underlying issue. Here are the most common reasons for curly green beans and how to help straighten them out.
1. Bean Variety
Some green bean varieties are genetically prone to curly pods. French filet beans and pole romano beans often develop curled pods even when grown under ideal conditions.
Certain heirloom beans like Rattlesnake and Dragon Tongue also frequently produce contorted pods. Curly pods don’t affect the flavor or productivity. Simply choose straighter bean types if you prefer smooth pods.
2. Uneven Watering
Irregular watering during the flowering and pod-fill stages is a prime culprit for curly beans. Beans require consistent soil moisture for even expansion and growth.
Drought stress followed by heavy watering causes pods to develop irregularly. Maintain at least 1 inch of water per week by hand-watering or using drip irrigation. Deep weekly soakings are better than frequent light sprinkles.
3. Excessive Heat
When daytime temperatures rise above 85°F, bean plants can become stressed. Their undersized root system struggles to take up enough water to support growth.
The mismatch between water demand from heat and restricted water absorption distorts pods. Provide shade on extremely hot days or choose heat-tolerant varieties.
4. Lack of Calcium
Calcium is essential for the cell wall structure that keeps bean pods rigid. Deficient calcium causes pods to bend and bulge. Promote uptake by maintaining consistent soil moisture. Side dress vines with calcium-rich fertilizer.
5. Root Damage
Anything that impairs the roots – like cultivation too close to plants, herbicide drift, or root rot – disrupts nutrient and water flow to developing pods. Weakened roots can’t support straight fruit growth. Avoid root stress for smooth beans.
6. Pests
Sap-sucking insects like aphids, leafhoppers, and stink bugs can cause curled pods through their feeding or injected toxins. Check undersides of leaves for clusters of tiny insects. Control with insecticidal soap sprays before damage occurs.
7. Diseases
Viral infections like bean mosaic and fungal diseases like anthracnose impede nutrient transport within the plant, leading to distorted pods. Remove and destroy affected plants immediately to prevent spreading.
What to Do About Excessively Curly Beans
If your formerly straight green beans suddenly develop severe curling issues, here are some troubleshooting tips:
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Review watering habits and increase frequency if soil is drying out.
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Add organic mulch like straw around plants to retain moisture.
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Check for pests on undersides of leaves and stems.
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Scout for disease symptoms like mottling, spots, or lesions.
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Test soil pH and amend if needed. Beans prefer slightly acidic soil.
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Replenish nutrients, especially calcium, with a balanced fertilizer.
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Install supports, trellises or cages to keep plants upright and minimize stress.
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Consider providing filtered shade on extremely hot afternoons if possible.
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Pick oversized and oddly shaped pods promptly to encourage more fruit production.
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Plant a curl-resistant green bean variety next season if problems persist.
Can You Eat Curly Green Beans?
While curled green beans may not look pretty, they’re perfectly edible. The distorted exterior doesn’t affect the interior taste or texture. Slight curling is harmless, but serious distortions can impede bean development.
Trim any brown or damaged spots before cooking or preserving. Very large, overgrown pods tend to be stringy. For optimal texture, harvest beans when they reach the length specified for that variety – usually 4 to 6 inches long.
Curly beans are still delicious when steamed, sautéed, roasted, or canned. However, they may not be suitable for green bean salads or raw veggie trays since the irregular shape impacts aesthetics.
How to Prevent Curly Beans
You can minimize curly pods through smart planting and care:
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Select listed as “straight” instead of “filet” bean types
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Stake or trellis vines for better pod visibility
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Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses for uniform watering
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Avoid excessive fertilizer which spurs foliage over pods
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Side dress with calcium supplements
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Monitor for pests and diseases weekly
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Harvest regularly to encourage more pod production
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Shade plants during heat waves
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Plant in early spring or fall to avoid heat stress
When to Worry About Curly Beans
Mild curling of some pods is perfectly normal, but there could be an underlying problem if:
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Almost all pods are severely twisted or bulging
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Previously straight beans suddenly develop curling
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Plants are stressed from drought or high temperatures
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You see symptoms of pests, disease, or nutrient deficiencies
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Curling worsens as pods mature instead of improving
Take steps to alleviate adverse conditions when severe curling crops up. But if it’s confined to a few pods, enjoy your curly beans! Their unique shapes add character to your harvest.
Fun Ways to Use Up Curly Beans
Rather than rejecting less-than-perfect curly beans, put them to delicious use:
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Stir curly chunks into soups, stews, and pasta sauce for hidden nutrition.
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Puree curly beans into dips, spreads, or pesto for fresh flavor.
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Pickle curly beans with dill and garlic for tangy homemade relish.
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Roast misshapen beans tossed in olive oil and spices for a crunchy garnish or snack.
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Sauté and mix curly beans into fried rice, omelets, and noodle or grain bowls.
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Can or freeze bumper crops of curly beans when harvests are abundant.
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Leave oddly shaped pods on plants longer to develop into shelling beans for baking.
With some creativity and an open mind, curly green beans can be turned into culinary treasures. Their homegrown goodness still shines through! Don’t discount the curlies – embrace them for what makes them unique.
Soil and Pot Considerations
Ensure youre using well-draining soil and a pot with adequate drainage holes. If the pot is too big, the plant might not be able to hold water; if it’s too small, the plant might not be able to grow as well.
Pests and Diseases Leading to Leaf Curling
For most people, aphids and spider mites are the main pests that cause common bean leaves to curl. Theyre sap-suckers, literally. By draining your plants of their vital fluids, they induce the dreaded curl. Black flies and thrips also show up. They leave behind honeydew, a sticky substance that can cause sooty mold to grow.
Why our bush bean are curling – 60 second Garden Tip
FAQ
What do overwatered green beans look like?
Why are my runner beans growing curly?
What happens if you overwater green beans?
Why are my green beans wrinkly?
Why are my green bean leaves curling?
Green beans are a popular and nutritious vegetable, but sometimes the leaves of the plant can begin to curl. This can be a sign that something is wrong with the plant and may indicate a problem that needs to be addressed. In this article, we will explore some of the common causes of green bean plant leaf curling and what you can do to prevent it.
Can green beans cause blood clots?
Foods rich in vitamin K interfere with the functioning of anticoagulants, if the person has a venous thrombosis or stroke and is using the medicine, it is not recommended to consume the sources of vitamin K that are: broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, chicory, arugula, spinach, cabbage, watercress, cauliflower, parsley, chives, rosemary, basil and other green vegetables. Beans may contain vitamin K, but they are not one of the richest in the nutrient, so there is no contraindication.
Why are my beans curling?
But the most common culprit of curling in bean plants is the Cucurbit Leaf Crumple Virus. Like Mosaic virus, this virus affects different vegetables and results in the leaves being curled. If you do end up getting beans from infected plants, they usually look defected. Both of these viruses get transmitted by insects and pests.
How to prevent green bean plant leaf curling?
To prevent green bean plant leaf curling, it is important to take good care of your plants and address any problems as soon as they arise. Here are some tips for keeping your green bean plants healthy and avoiding leaf curling: Keep your garden clean and free of debris to prevent pest infestations.