Runner beans going moldy

[NoTWHaTiTWaSNT]

Hi Guys,
Had a problem this year with all but one of the beans I've planted going moldy.

Tried sowing them in the following ways,

Uncovered tray
Covered tray (Plastic bag)

Can anyone on point out where I am going wrong?

Last year they went in a pot in the greenhouse, uncovered, in the sun and every one came up.

TIA

[roitelet]

Possibly old seed that is dead or too warm and too wet. Try with some fresh seed in pots just fill the pot and push the beans in. Water once and then only again if the pots dry out too much. They should show fairly quickly, a week or so. The other alternative, again with fresh seed, plant them outside in the ground.

[Shadylane]

Go back to your old way
I always pre-chit my broad beans, peas and runners. It's not essential or even necessary but you do often have a few no shows so it saves on compost I suppose. I think I prefer it because I just expect stuff to fail, so if I can see them germinating I feel better. I do think you get better germination rates though. If you do pre-chit in plastic tubs, it's essential that you rinse them daily, otherwise, as you've found out they go rank.

[Alison]

I never chit broadies or runners as find they germinate pretty much 100% but French ones sometimes do seem a bit more tempermental, for some reason the white seeded ones seem the most awkward. Sometimes chit them but do it on damp kitchen roll in a plastic bag then plant up as soon as they show any sign of life. Sown direct into root trainers this year though.


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[arpoet]

I soak all peas, broad bean, runner and French beans for a couple of hours in warm water, then plant into guttering (peas) or toilet roll tubes of barely moist compost. Some seeds die, but that's life.

[Potstubsdustbins]

I used to have this trouble regularly with White Lady funny thing was I never had trouble with any of the red runners

[shona_b]

This year seems to be bad for beans! I don't remember having such poor success rates but out of all my borlottis, runners, frenchies (2 types) only 4 were successful. I suspect OH might have over watered so I have had to replant them all. Nice plot neighbour has donated a few butter beans so at least I have enough for a full row if the second batch is still poor!

[Penellype]

I've not grown beans before but I agree the germination rate seems poor this year. I sowed 6 french beans in pots and one germinated, then another 5 and 2 germinated. I sowed 5 in the hotbed and all of them germinated but 2 died before the first leaves actually opened. I sowed 18 runner beans and have about 10 plants (Stardust - a white seeded variety). No idea what the problem is.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Well its not the year. I planted 16 Firestorm seeds in root trainers now have 16 plants.

Have you looked at what has happened to the seed you set as I said above I have trouble with white seed going mushy if over watered.

[Penellype]

The seeds have generally rotted if they haven't germinated. As I said I haven't done beans before, although I regularly grow peas. I did try chitting some of the french beans but they just went mouldy. I also tried chitting some peas, with equally disastrous results.

[Jonnyt]

22 out of 22 for French bean Ferrari and 11 out of 12 for Cherioke.

Cucumbers 0 out of 12 for Wautoma!

I then took the seeds out of the compost, they hadn't rotted and put in kitchen towel and they all then germinated.

I've also had multiple courgettes germinate 7 weeks after sowing!!!

Really bizarre


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[Two_Sheds]

White beans tend to rot if you soak them, so they should be sown straight into pots without chitting.


After a few weeks of warm sun, our weather turned cool & dark, and I lost a lot of bean seed to rotting. Now the sun's back they're all coming up lovely again.

[Greenleaves]

I sow all my beans in clear plastic cups (the type you get with water coolers), I then push the bean down the side so it is visible. if any of the beans fail to start germinating, out they go. I agree with Two Sheds about white beans, I always grow White Lady and have learnt that minimal watering is best until they have broken cover.

[Shadylane]

White beans tend to rot if you soak them, so they should be sown straight into pots without chitting.


After a few weeks of warm sun, our weather turned cool & dark, and I lost a lot of bean seed to rotting. Now the sun's back they're all coming up lovely again.

Ah this explains a lot. *runs off to remove 2nd attempt at white frenchies from their jar of water before they go mouldy. Again.*