French Climbing Bean Cobra germination

[peanut]

I'm getting really P***ed off now.

I have repeatedly tried to grow French Climbing Bean Cobra for the last 2yrs but have not managed to get any to germinate

I sow them into pots of compost water once and wait and wait and wait and NOTHING has ever happened They seem to dissapear or rot off.

Can someone please give me a step by step idiots guide on how to get them to grow

Thanks in advance

[Newbie]

I'm having the same trouble with all my beans this year, am growing 4 different types and none of them seem to want to germinate. They've been in their modules 2 weeks now & no sign of any of them. They were no trouble last year, this year two of the varieties are new seeds. I await responses too!

[smallblueplanet]

Have you tried germinating them on damp kitchen towel? Perhaps you have a duff batch of Cobra? Can you get other Frenchies to germinate?

[Flummery]

I've had 100% germination this year. I do what I usually do, one per pot/root trainer, keep watered (they do dry out quickly in the sun in a cold greenhouse) and stand back. Bob's yer uncle, Flummy's yer aunt! I haven't soaked any this year - usually do - and I haven't given them any fussy treatment. I gave a little thought (only ever got a little to spare these days!) to moon planting but I couldn't see how you could improve on 100%. As to whether they'll be pecked/slugged to b***ery when I plant them out - that remains to be seen. It's always a challenge, this gardening lark eh?

[peanut]

Have you tried germinating them on damp kitchen towel? Perhaps you have a duff batch of Cobra? Can you get other Frenchies to germinate?

I've sown some purple climbing beans too, waiting for them to appear, been about a week. I'll try the kitchen towel thing, do you literally just sit the beans on damp kitchen paper or soak them first?

[peanut]

I've had 100% germination this year. I do what I usually do, one per pot/root trainer, keep watered (they do dry out quickly in the sun in a cold greenhouse) and stand back.

Do you keep the Beans waterered Flummery before they germinate?

[Flummery]

Yes, I water them when I water my toms which are also in the greenhouse. You don't want them soggy, but when the compost dries out I re-wet it.

[peanut]

Yes, I water them when I water my toms which are also in the greenhouse. You don't want them soggy, but when the compost dries out I re-wet it.

Maybe that's where I'm going wrong.....I'll get sowing again, thanks Flummery

[smallblueplanet]

I've sown some purple climbing beans too, waiting for them to appear, been about a week. I'll try the kitchen towel thing, do you literally just sit the beans on damp kitchen paper or soak them first?

Just sit them on damp kitchen towel, keep it damp (cover with cling film) but don't have them swimming. They should germinate fairly quickly, then just pop them into compost and grow them. If you've been trying to grow the same 'batch' of Cobra and don't check them you could still be trying to grow something that for some reason won't grow!

[marialittlebzz]

I put some french climbing beans a week ago and they are all starting to show up ! I 've been watering everyday though, it seems that the water get sucked up very quickly...maybe that's the trick???

[punydan]

I soak my beans over night before setting. Works a treat.

[Matt.]

I sowed cobra beans on 25th April (moon gardening fruit day). They are only just coming through so I don't know yet what germination rate I'll get. Like others I've sowed one bean per cell and tried to keep the compost moist although it has got dry a couple of times. They are kept outside in unheated greenhouse and the seeds were new this year.

Keep your patience and allow at least two weeks.

[peanut]

Right! I'm going to try every suggestion.........if that doesn't get me Cobra Beans I'm really going to stamp my feet

[Flummery]

Actually - a tantrum a day DOES help!

[joey]

My french beans are in the ground now and have 6 leaves. They are gold neckar variety and all germinated.