[fatbelly]

What is the germination of FGB like?

Does it make a difference if I sow direct into the soil, I was going to sow some tomorrow into pots in the G/H before planting out when germinated but I am now thinking of sowing direct onto the plot.

Thanks for any replies.
Regards FB

[Wombat18]

I sowed mine direct into the ground a couple of weeks ago and they still aren't showing.  I had a dig around (a terrible habit of mine) and found at least one which had just germinated.

Next time I will probably sow them into pots first just to be on the safe side.

[DD.]

I sow all beans in pots/trays before planting out.

a - you get better germination
b - a mature plant is less prone to slug attack

[Gandan57]

I tried growing white seeded Ferrari french beans in modules under glass and only four came up out of a hundred.

I sowed some more and some Flagrano flageolet beans direct in the ground five days ago and they`re coming up already. Just layed a sheet of clear plastic on the surface to retain heat and aid germination, which has now been removed.

[Ice]

I do mine the same as DD.  Germination rate is very high and they get a good head start when planted out.

[Salmo]

They are very prone to bean seed fly whose maggots tunnel in the seed leaves and kill the growing point. Sowing in pots indoors in a glasshouse/frame/windowsill keeps them safe.

It helps to germinate the seeds in damp kitchen paper. The moisture they take in is enough for them to get started as long as the compost is just moist. That saves having to water. Overwatering is the most common cause of rotting seed.

Put them out to harden off immediately they emerge. You can plant them out as soon as the first true leaves have opened out

[Elaine G]

I tried growing white seeded Ferrari french beans in modules under glass and only four came up out of a hundred.

Strange, Gandan. I sowed some Ferrari and only 4 came up. Have put in some more and none have appeared yet. The first lot were in the greenhouse, second lot in the house. The packet was unopened and bought at the end of last year.

Elaine


Modified to correct quote

[viettaclark]

Could be a duff batch. Did you buy from the same place? If you did you should be able to get a replacement/refund!
Plenty of time to plant yet!!

[cooperman]

sow in pots if early.....

[Paul Plots]

I do mine the same as DD.  Germination rate is very high and they get a good head start when planted out.

Me three too!    :happy:

[Ma Lowe]

Last year I planted mine straight in the ground and had an excellent crop,
This year I have done the same a few days ago but I also have some that i had grown in pots in the green house and planted them out with my runnerbeans.

I want to do some more later so I have a lot of them to freeze.

[bigben]

As DD says I found the slugs trash stuff I sow direct. I tended to use a bub planter and drop in beans I sowed in loo rolls or paper pots. I then tended to sow any bean seeds I had left over direct, in the hope of extending the season. I tended to find, almost all either failed to germinate or were munched by slugs so only those I started at home survived.

[Robster]

I chit mine on wet towel in an ice cream tub for 2-3 days 'till they start to germinate, then sow into root trainers then out when they are up.  Off to start another batch now

[Trillium]

Odd that everyone with Ferrari had poor germination. I grow that every year and direct seed. they won't germinate until weather is warm enough and there's adequate moisture for germination. Soon as I sow them, I water every 2 days until I see the first sprouts.

But birds also love bean seeds and will actually dig them out of the soil  as I found 3X last year. Finally I put a length of tangled netting over the row of seeds and all germinated no problem. I then removed the netting before it became a problem.

[Christine]

I'm with DD and Trillium on beans.