Can't get beans to germinate

[richie3846]

Mine have been a bit rubbish this year too, too cold and wet in the greenhouse.

I'm up the road in West Swindon and have near 100% germination on 3 types of runners. On 13th May I soaked the beans in sprouting jars for 7 hours, then drained. I rinsed the beans every few hours (and drained off of course) for around 48 hours, then directly planted outside, around 2 inches deep. I was worried that on the first night the cold could kill the just germinated beans (temps dropped to 5c), but the two inch plantings kept the warmth in.

Now listen up, this is the important bit! - - - - Whilst I utilised two inch planting depths to try to reduce temperature fluctuations, around 6/7 days after planting out, I removed the top layer of soil/compost to reveal the shoots. This seemed to do the trick, as now they are 4 inches high, 3 weeks after their first soak.

Now, if only I had the same luck growing tomatoes! Grrrrr!!!

[esbo]

I had major problems too, never grown them before, had 3 varieties planted 5 of each but only
about 3 germinated. Then I tried similar amount of damp tissue paper and again only about 3 germinated.
A slug or something destroyed at least one of them so I ended up with either 4 or 5 in total.

I though it was a bit of a disaster but it seems I was one of the lucky ones!!

I think mine were too wet too seems like I killed them with kindness with over watering, lesson learned hopefully.

As I said I have never grown them before so it will be interesting to see how they get on, one is a couple of feet tall already Could be Jack and the beanstalk all over again

[Bren In Pots]

I sow all my Broad, Runners and Serbian beans in loo roll tubes, leaving them in the airing cupboard for 4 to 5 days then they go out into the cold GH.
It seems to work for me, my seeds are all saved ones but not sure if that makes a difference

[Bal]

I have finally got a bed ready is it too late to plant them now?

[Hazel at the Hill]

Not too late at all, Bal - if you sow them direct, watch out for slugs, though.

[Greenleaves]

I pre chit mine and then plant in damp compost, only water again when the MPC starts to show signs od emerging bean. Planted 60 got 58. (Firestorm)

That said I never pre chit white seeds (whitelady) as these have a tendency to rot. 30 sown 30 plants.

[esbo]

I sow all my Broad, Runners and Serbian beans in loo roll tubes, leaving them in the airing cupboard for 4 to 5 days then they go out into the cold GH.
It seems to work for me, my seeds are all saved ones but not sure if that makes a difference

How do you sow in loo roll tubes?

When you say 'saved one' you must mean ones from last year so they are guaranteed to be less than a year old. When you buy from shops you don't know how old they are they could be 2 or 3 years old, I suspect mine might have been,
I got mine from a pounds shop and I expect if they don't sell the stock first year they stick it back on sale. Saved seeds is the way to go I think anything I have saved has had a very high germination rate, close to 100%.

[esbo]

Not too late at all, Bal - if you sow them direct, watch out for slugs, though.

Do slugs kill then? One of mine had the stem attacked and I think it might have been a slug but can't be sure, they normally go for leaves.

[Bren In Pots]

How do you sow in loo roll tubes?

When you say 'saved one' you must mean ones from last year so they are guaranteed to be less than a year old. When you buy from shops you don't know how old they are they could be 2 or 3 years old, I suspect mine might have been,
I got mine from a pounds shop and I expect if they don't sell the stock first year they stick it back on sale. Saved seeds is the way to go I think anything I have saved has had a very high germination rate, close to 100%.

You just treat loo rolls like you do pots, only difference is once they're stood on the seed tray full of compost don't lift them off again until you're ready to plant out, or you'll lose your compost.

Its addictive saving seed, only the new seed I buy each year are parsnips.

[NoTWHaTiTWaSNT]

Had no problems with my French beans but only got 1 runner bean to come up this year, he's doing well though

[Bal]

Thanks HH and Greenleaves

[esbo]

You just treat loo rolls like you do pots, only difference is once they're stood on the seed tray full of compost don't lift them off again until you're ready to plant out, or you'll lose your compost.

Its addictive saving seed, only the new seed I buy each year are parsnips.

I let lettuce go to seed last year, also an onion, I was amazed how nice the flower was.

I gone one like this.



I am surprise they are not more prized for their flowers.

[Bren In Pots]

Don't forget that you can overwinter runner beans I tried it last year for the first time and all 10 plants have regrown. here's a link to the thread :-

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ans_78430.html

[Marb67]

Well we are almost into June and still no germination of runner beans. Tried in new compost in cold greenhouse, soaking in a bean sprouter and then planted outside and everytime rot rot rot. Absolutley beyond me how to get these seemingly easy things to germinate. You plant them dry and they don't sprout. Plant moist and they rot.

[danny31]

I've always found them easy, but this year it's been a complete dud for beans. Some lovely borlottis germinated and then just fizzled. A friend gave me some shell beans that have simply rotted. I have finally bought some tatty looking plantlets from a garden centre. I left them in the car overnight and they seem very happy there. Maybe they were just bored.