Broad bean advice needed please

[Samurailord]

I have sown broad beans (Aquadulce) at home for the first time this year, along with a few runners (Enorma).

Before anyone comments, Yes, I do know that I have started off the runners about 8 weeks too soon.

Hey - I might be able to put together a spiffing Planting Calendar in Excel but that doesn't mean I have the common sense to use it!

Anyway, the first few shoots broke the surface yesterday, but they are all a pale yellow colour, both Broad and Runners.

My question is: is this normal? Remember, I haven't grown these before, and the Borlotti and Sugarsnap that I grew last year were brilliant green when they first showed, so I am a bit concerned.

The plants are currently on my kitchen table which is away from direct sunlight, but still fairly bright (or as bright as we get at this time of year), but I don't think that can be a factor so sonn in the seedling's development, can it?

Any help on this would be appreciated.

Andy

[veggiechicken]

They won't green up until they have some chlorophyll in them - if I remember my biology lessons correctly. Give them a couple of days of daylight - don't panic

[KittyColdNose]

I had a quick peek at my Aquadulce today and they will be coming up to say hello any day now. Looks like I am early too SL. They are in a nice bright spot in my kitchen (not the window sill, that has lavender and rosemary cuttings in pots on it).

[WendyC]

Where are you going to keep runner beans til the back end of May? They'll be quite big by then!

[Samurailord]

Where are you going to keep runner beans til the back end of May? They'll be quite big by then!

I wish I knew, Wendy!

I got carried away when planting up my Broad Beans and just carried on with the next couple of packets without looking at my chart to see when I should have planted them.

I might set aside part of the conservatory once it gets cleared out (it's currently full on my son's furniture that we are storing for him, but he is hoping to move to his new place this weekend).

I might even be able to get a poly tunnel on my plot if the drainage problens have been sorted out by the new drain.

Andy

[Samurailord]

They won't green up until they have some chlorophyll in them - if I remember my biology lessons correctly. Give them a couple of days of daylight - don't panic

That's what I was hoping VC, I was just a bit worried as last year's beans all came out looking vivid green.

Andy

[hollychap]

i have some just poked there heads out of the ground at the allotment from a november sowing they too were yellow to start with

[KittyColdNose]

I'm covering all bases with mine. The ones I planted last November are still under snow, so if they don't appear I have these to fall back on. I didn't have much luck last year as I am still a novice

[Two_Sheds]

Yes, I do know that I have started off the runners about 8 weeks too soon.

*speechless*


They don't tolerate cold at all. They are semi-tropical plants. But, you knew that. You're just hoping for a scorching hot March aren't ya?

[alldigging]

*speechless*


They don't tolerate cold at all. They are semi-tropical plants. But, you knew that. You're just hoping for a scorching hot March aren't ya?

We had one last year! I had sunburn from being on the allotment 28th March!

[Incy]

The north west has had lovely weather around March for the last 4 years. I'll keep my fingers crossed we get another one for you.

[horticultural_hobbit]

Mine are sat on the classroom window sill. Most of them have come up, and quickly at that. Not sure if they wull survive. Tall and a bit leafy. haven't done runners yet.

[ancee]

Kitty - I love your weed/valuable plant quote hahaha

[KittyColdNose]

Kitty - I love your weed/valuable plant quote hahaha

I found in on t'interweb ancee. Author unknown General rule of thumb for Mr kcn too.

[Samurailord]

It looks like my fears were unfounded - all the sprouting beans have gone a wonderful green colour as you can see from the picture.



The runner beans are storming away and are nearly a foot high already.

I am going to have loads of trouble keeping them somewhere safe until it gets warm enought to plant them out. I may just have to write them off as a stupid mistake and re-sow another batch in a couple of months or so.

On the other hand we may have another scorching March like we have for the last two years so I might just get lucky.