What’s wrong with my green beans? - Ask Extension
This little section of my green beans are wilted and gray. (The rest of the plant looks super healthy!) Should I just prune this part, or is it a bigg...
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What’s wrong with my green beans? #934730
Asked June 08, 2026, 7:12 PM EDT
This little section of my green beans are wilted and gray. (The rest of the plant looks super healthy!) Should I just prune this part, or is it a bigger issue?
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
Thank you for writing.
The primary problem is edema--too much water, poor draining beds. You can see the engorged veins and the characteristic pattern of sell exploding from water along the veins (white spots on top leaf and on the edges of the leaf. After cells die, anything can hit the plant.
https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/insects-pests-and-problems/environmental/oedema
So the key here is to make sure your boxes, pots are draining and back off on watering. The dead areas will not return however the plants are not dead.
The primary problem is edema--too much water, poor draining beds. You can see the engorged veins and the characteristic pattern of sell exploding from water along the veins (white spots on top leaf and on the edges of the leaf. After cells die, anything can hit the plant.
https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/insects-pests-and-problems/environmental/oedema
So the key here is to make sure your boxes, pots are draining and back off on watering. The dead areas will not return however the plants are not dead.
