Problems germinating 'Safari' dwarf beans

[kirsty b]

Hi all,
I have done a quick search, but not got any joy so heres a question for any of you more experienced peeps.

I have some dwarf bean seeds, kenyan filet type ones, 'Safari' and I am having real problems getting them to germinate. Last year, they got a bit too wet an the seeds disintegrated and didn't grow, and even though I am making sure they are not over wetted when sown, and they are in a (unheated) prop in an unheated greenhouse. (My climbing french and runners I just sow in pots and leave them to get on with it). I have only had one out of 12 germinate so far and I'm wondering what I'm doing wrong.
Am seriously considering the blotting-paper-in-a-jam-jar-in-the-airing-cupboard method just to get them going before potting them on once they have roots.

Any one else had similar problems who could help out, or someone who usually grows them be willing to pass on some wisdom please?

Ta
Kirsty

[Hazel at the Hill]

Sounds like you're doing all the right things to me, Kirsty

How old is your seed?

[SarzWix]

Perhaps they just need a bit more heat to germinate? Try them indoors?
I've had a few of my beans being really awkward this year

[kirsty b]

Bought them last year. Beans are usually ok for a couple of years aren't they?

I'll try doing some indoors in case they are a type that like a bit more warmth.

[teakdesk]

They are a hardy variety and shouldn't need the heat to be too high to germinate but they do like heat to be constant.

They probably like it a little hotter than runner beans.

They should be fine to sow directly in the soil now that soil temperatures are up to almost 15 degC - just like in nature !!!

Outside soil will not get as cold as your unheated greenhouse over-night so they could germinate better outside.

If you bring them inside try keeping them around 16 degC constantly.

[coreopsis]

How long it should take them to germinate?I had a failure with climbing ones so decided to try dwarf ones.They are outside in a sunny position and kept in moist(not wet) compost

[annacruachan]

I had just two beans germinate from a whole packet of White Lady runners from Marshall's. At last, in desperation, I bought some cheapo Scarlet Runners and germinated them in my seed sprouter. They only took a couple of days to begin and are now outside in a fishbox, just about to climb up the net. This whole process took only 12 days. It's worth trying.

[Hazel at the Hill]

How long it should take them to germinate?I had a failure with climbing ones so decided to try dwarf ones.They are outside in a sunny position and kept in moist(not wet) compost

Mine pot-sown beans are taking 7-10 days (dwarf and climbers) to germinate at the mo.

I had just two beans germinate from a whole packet of White Lady runners from Marshall's..

Complain!

[leoblackcat]

i sowed my safari inside in pots, they germinated in about 5 days. How long ago did you sow them?

[annacruachan]

Yes, Hazel, I intend to! It was not only the beans, but carrots, garlic, squashes and courgettes that germinated poorly. They will get a phone call from me this week. They are also very stingy with the number of seeds in a packet. I seem to have had more success with cheap seeds from Lidl!

[Hazel at the Hill]

Yes, Hazel, I intend to! It was not only the beans, but carrots, garlic, squashes and courgettes that germinated poorly. They will get a phone call from me this week. They are also very stingy with the number of seeds in a packet. I seem to have had more success with cheap seeds from Lidl!

On a recent 'Which?' survey, T&M came out tops in the germination stakes.

They are expensive, tho', so for work-a-day seed varieties, I buy Wilko seeds, which I've had no problems with.

[kirsty b]

i sowed my safari inside in pots, they germinated in about 5 days. How long ago did you sow them?

Over a week ago. My runners and climbers popped up no probs as always, but when I checked these, they had just gone mushy. Going to germinate some indoors, my house isn't hot though as the heating has been off for weeks , but should still be warm enough to keep temperature constant enough to get them safely up.

[Two_Sheds]

I've had a few of my beans being really awkward this year

Mine too. I've never had such an awkward bean year. What's going on?
White seeds are the worst... they are just rotting.

[Two_Sheds]

They are a hardy variety

?????????????

[SarzWix]

Mine too. I've never had such an awkward bean year. What's going on?
White seeds are the worst... they are just rotting.

Perhaps it's the excess moisture they took up before ripening last year?!

i've had to re-sow cannellini beans & hazels giant purple, both now in the heated propogator, which they don't usually need by this time of year. And none of the dwarf ones have come up at all including; brightstone, delinel, purple teepee & valdor... Rubbish!