Failed beans

[chris]

I put two in 3" pots in my heated prop... I thought hmm I'll sow a "few" as I know they'll not all take.

This was a couple weeks ago, I thought I'd keep them in doors until the frosts have passed for hopefully an early crop - wish I hadn't!! Left them last week as I forgot about them, they've grown huuuuuuuuuge now, all tangled up over each other for support, growing toward the window. Almost like a horror movie or something! (yep, both in each pot germinated)

[womble]

I found last year that white bean seeds don't sprout if you soak/chit them. They just rot. Weird huh?

This year, I've soaked my Sungold, and they chitted just fine (also white beans).

That is very interesting that you mention white beans.

This year (along with sweetcorn) I forgot to pre germinate most of my french beans on kitchen paper.
In the same trays, same compost, same moisture, exactly the same treatment, went Trail of tears, Blue Lake and (only 4) streamline runners.

Now get this......

Every single Trail of Tears came up (black bean)
Every single Blue Lake rotted (white bean)

The runners rotted as well and as they are black, sort of mucks up the whole thing but I cling to the fact that their seed packet says they were packed in 2006.

Anyway, interesting I think.

[womble]

That is very interesting that you mention white beans.

This year (along with sweetcorn) I forgot to pre germinate most of my french beans on kitchen paper.
In the same trays, same compost, same moisture, exactly the same treatment, went Trail of tears, Blue Lake and (only 4) streamline runners.

Now get this......

Every single Trail of Tears came up (black bean)
Every single Blue Lake rotted (white bean)

The runners rotted as well and as they are black, sort of mucks up the whole thing but I cling to the fact that their seed packet says they were packed in 2006.

Anyway, interesting I think.

Mmmm, no one else interested in black and white bean germination then?

Even more interestingly after my yesterday statement, is that 3 of the 4 black runner bean seeds have now come up! All at once.

I hadn't dug them up, just presumed like all the blue lake, they had rotted.

So, as I had sowed my seed in compost that was honestly too wet, does that mean black seed copes with wetter conditions better?

I think it may do. Which may be why Flums white seed rots after being soaked.

[sheena]

I never soak mine either, just put them into moist soil in root trainers and they come up a treat.

Seconding that notion Alison, I did this with my runners, sweetcorn, mange tout, sugar snaps and peas.... everything came up.

[Flummery]

[QUOTE=womble;658489
I think it may do. Which may be why Flums white seed rots after being soaked.[/QUOTE]

Two-Sheds'!

[womble]

Two-Sheds'!

Sorry!

message too short

[cupcake]

I too put mine on damp kitchen roll and got 100% germination with Blue Lake and borlotti beans. I use an old clear strawberry container.

[King Carrot]

I think white seed tends to rot if it gets too wet & warm while germinating as I found out a few years back with some Blue Lake, I put on kitchen paper in a tub in the airing cupboard. I put the tubs at room temps now and take the lid off if it's a warm day - no problems and I find the seed only seems to rot if it's unviable or dead.

[Helgalush]

Dont know if this helps but I didnt pre-soak my Blue Lake beans, I just put them in compost in pots and placed them in my heated propagator for 2-3 days....they came up a treat, then moved them to my warm and sunny porch where they have grown to about 3-4 inches....now potted on and in my plastic greenhouse, hope they survive! But are looking pretty healty so far.