More failed seed...

[JerseyJimbo]

I saved a load of seed form last years harvests of pea's, petit pois, french beans, runner beans and berlotti's. I followed advice from the vine and other online as to saving and storing seed.

I planted them all directly into my allotment nearly 3 weeks ago and i watered them in well as advised, the weather locally has been fairly warm, no evening temp's below 5', the only thing is the lack of rain we have had, now approaching the 4th week but i have been and watered them twice weekly to make up for it...

But now as mentioned they are approaching the end of the 3rd week and not a sign of anything... I mentioned this to a friend and he suggested that some fruit from bought seed can have its 'germination dna' switched off, so that it will not germinate, i can understand this as seed producers would want to protect their business but it just seems a little far fetched...?

Can anybody shed some light, or any other suggestions as to what i may of done wrong or what the problem may be???

[jemma_charlie]

have they been dug up an eaten? Mice seem to get mine and often leave the soil as they find it.

[scarey55]

They might need a bit more time. As soon as I gave up on my peas and planted 2 more rows - up popped the first lot! Awkward little blighters, these veg

[maytreefrannie]

I sowed saved chilli seeds about 4 weeks ago - so far, nothing showing even though they're indoors. Likewise, out of 7 saved pumpkin seeds sown indoors, only one has germinated, and that doesn't look too lively.

Sorry the above is probably not of help to you, Jersey Jimbo, but Jemma Charlie's suggestion about the mice could be right - maybe it would be worthwhile to sow a few more seeds in pots and transplant them as seedlings.

[womble]

Dig em up and have a look, you should soon be able to work out what's gone wrong. Or if mice are involved, just what's gone.

If you still have some, try germinating some on a plate with kitchen paper and see if they work ok.

On the other hand, maybe you didn't save or store them correctly?

[Flummery]

I never direct sow these things. Mice love peas - I tranplant all my peas but they do take 2 - 3 weeks to germinate.
Beans - maybe it's too cold for germination outdoors just yet. Mine are under glass and are only just beinning to show after a fortnight.

As to DNA being switched off, there are one or two F1 hybrids that come sterile - deliberately - mutters abuse at seed producers - but your own saved seeds are unlikely to be those. I'm sure they are viable.

[Two_Sheds]

I think you might have rotted them by watering so frequently.

[JerseyJimbo]

The seeds have not been eaten by mice, they would of needed to eat several hundred to of consumed everything i have planted...

I planted direct last year and had no bother, everything came up a treat, to the point i had more than i could deal with hence why i took my own seed, so ill just try and be patient again and give it a few more weeks and see what develops, if its still bare then ill buy some more seed and try again...

[JerseyJimbo]

I think you might have rotted them by watering so frequently.

the ground at my lottie is clay based, but still very fertile, it dries out very quickly to more than the depth of a spade if we dont get frequent rain, hence why i water as frequently...

[Two_Sheds]

I garden on free-draining sandy soil: I watered the drill when I sowed my peas & beans 3 weeks ago, and not since

Have a dig around, then you'll know

[gojiberry]

I never direct sow as no matter what the weather the seed seem to rot in the ground. I find it is so easy to overwater peas and beans. I sow in various pots and modules depending on seed and requirement. The seed is sown in MPC straight out the bag, not watered on sowing or untill the seed shows its face. I sowed some beans, the top half inch of MPC got absolutely bone dry but still haven't watered and this morning I saw the first shoots emerging. Will give them a few more days and then water from the bottom.

Ian

[dincur]

Hi J.J, if you soak peas or beans in a jam jar of for a few days. Changing water every day and gently rinsing and refillin the jar, you'll see the radical or first signs of a root starting. Anything still floating by now is a dud. This is the time to pop them in. The moisture/ tempeture germination levels is funny with legumes- so this will increase your chances. I don't know about U.K but I think genetic modification laws don't permit sale of seed unless stated on packet.

[mick2501]

have a lil dig where u planted the seeds to see if they are coming to life below ground

[daffydill]

have a lil dig where u planted the seeds to see if they are coming to life below ground

thats what i had to do and i found they had started to germinate so i left them and a few days later they started to show so maybe you should take a look.heres hopeing