Bean Germination / Compost

My first attempt at germinating Runner Beans was a disaster. I planted up 20 in cardboard tubes using Multi-purpose compost with 'Waterlock'. They were kept inside on the Kitchen windowsill.

All rotted.

From what I can find out there are various reasons:

1. Old Seeds - these were purchased last year - but you might expect one or two to grow(?)

2. Over watering - Well, being a beginner, this is quite likely - I guess assessing the amount of watering required comes with experience

3. (Mrs Doogle's suggestion) Unsuitable Compost - ie the 'Waterlock' plus 'normal' watering effectively over watered them.

Anyone have an idea?

 

I put a sheet of kitchen paper paper in a Tupperware box, then spread the beans on it, then another sheet over the top (the sheet is bigger than the box, so I kinda fold it to fit, so its double thickness in places.

Run some water into the box, allow the paper to soak it out, pour out ALL the remainder.

Put a loose fitting lid on the top, keep in the kitchen where it is warm, and I can keep an eye on it. In a couple of days a white root appears from the concave side. When that is between 0.75" and 1.5" I plant them into modules (your cardboard tubes would be ideal)

I loosely fill module / pot / cardboard tube to the top, use a pencil / dibber to make a hole in the middle, drop seed in with white root downwards (I put them in that way, if they turn a bit I don't worry about it, they are obviously not always the right way up in nature!) and then push the compost around the root & seed with pencil and firm down a bit. Then water well and put int he greenhouse / conservatory. They should put up a green shoot within a day or two, should be no need to water until that has happened, Then you are away, water daily (perhaps every other day if the weather has been overcast and cool, or if it was earlier in the year [actually, scrub that, you shouldn't sow Runners until early May ]

You may still get some rot in the Tupperware box, but at least the ones you put into pots / tubes you can be sure are "viable". So that will sort out any old seed. (I don't think 1 year old runner bean seed is old, but even if the seed is old putting "plenty" in the Tupperware box lets you then select the ones that are still able to germinate).

I do French Beans the same way - they are even more prone to rot :(

 

Kristen,

Thats like the technique i use with kitchen paper, but instead of a tupperwear box, i put it in a sandwich bag. Brilliant germination success so far. :D

I thought i was the only one that germinated like that, suppose it mimicks a propergator.

 

Loose in a sandwich bag may be a problem for smaller seeds, or ones with more delicate roots (Parsnips and Sweetcorn), but it will work fine for hefty seeds like Runner Beans :thumb: