Chitting runner beans

[Creemteez]

Just wondered if anyone has ever bothered chitting runner beans?
A chap on "Big Dig" (Sky - UKTV Gardens) - who was something of a "bean expert" said he always chitted his as if he planted them into pots and they rotted, he would have to throw the compost away. Seemed a bit extreme, but he reccomended it. If one was to do it would it be the same "damp kitchen roll/clingfilm trick as Parsnips?

[Spiderling]

Hi Creemteez. I've heard of chitting runner beans but I've never tried it. I just sow one seed per 3" pot and haven't had any problems with them rotting to date. I do think some of these experts go a bit over the top and make some things more complicated than they are. I'm all for the simplest methods!. Cheers!

[Demeter]

Alternatively, you can just soak them overnight the day before you plan to plant them. Gives them a head start on germination, but without the faff of pre-germinating. This is what I plan to do with my beans and peas this year, at least if I am organised enough!

[Two_Sheds]

I do it, with peas and beans.
I just soak them in cold water overnight, then rinse every morning until they have started sprouting (a few days).

I can see which ones are goers, and pot them up.

[pigletwillie]

I just sow them in pots, they only rot if you over water them. Its suprising how few misfire in the scheme of things.

[Alison]

Don't chit anything except potatoes, usually get about 90% minimum germination rate by just pushing them into root trainers. Tend to come through within a few days and no problems. On the odd occaision I've tried to pre chit them I've ended up letting them dry out and then it doesn't come to anything anyway and also, have to find the time to plant them up before they get going too much which never seems to fit with when I've actually got any time!

[Creemteez]

Thanks everyone!
I only asked because Im just so-ooo-oo impatient to get my beans started in some way, and I know it's a little bit early yet.
As it is I've got them on damp kitchen roll with another couple of sheets over the top and sealed under cling film.
I'm afraid I'm a check-every-half-hour-to see-if-anythings-happening -type girl.
Yeah, I know. Patience Grasshopper, patience Grasshopper.....

[King Carrot]

I always chit beans (and lots of other stuff) on paper towel in a margarine tub, I find they sprout a lot faster than in pots or the ground and my theory is I can identify the most vigorous seeds that chit first and then get them where they’re going, either in pots or ground straight away with a head start.

I’m sorting out some runners and bush French beans right now to start off tomorrow. They’ll go in pots for 2 or 3 weeks while I get their beds and structures ready.

[Taff the Chicken Man]

Try rootrainers - I find them great for peas, beans and brassicas. They take up a lot less room than pots on the bench and give things a great start. I put a pea per cell and fill one block (32 cells) and then succession sow every two weeks from mid march. They get planted over the allotment when about 10cms and I keep that going. I have cold wet clay so I have to germinate a lot in a cold greenhouse and they ahve been a god send. You buy 2nd hand ones on ebay which are great value and last years, just disenfect them with ***** !!

[TonyF]

I agree with Taff - use rootrainers or similar deep pots. I double hit peas in each cell but only one runner bean, just been planting out the first lots in a chum's potager and they're growing away well. I also leave enough space between them for extra seeds so when the first crop are finished, the second crop are coming through.

[cupcake]

That's a brilliant idea Tony!

[Two_Sheds]

Try rootrainers - I find them great for peas, beans and brassicas.

I treated myself to rootrainers this year, and did my sweet peas in them. I did some more in my usual loo rolls - and the loo roll plants were much taller and had better roots.

[kate&rob]

i planted some beans and peas without soaking, most of them germinated, then the next lot i did i soaked overnight and they germinated a lot quicker and with a better success rate so will do that again. i put mine in loo rolls or origami newspaper pots.