[Kleftiwallah]

Having success with parsnips, are there any other root crops that respond well to chitting on damp paper?

Cheers,  Tony.

[Aidy]

As you probably know I am a MASSIVE fan of pre-chitting after reading an Amish farmers article and most hard seeds this way.
I have done most brassicas, carrots, parsnips all sorts, I have just transplanted my celeriac and within a week they are all up and in pots, the list is endless onions, leeks loads however dont pre chit beans as I believe they are prone to disease if done.

[Kleftiwallah]

Thanks for that Aidy, and I've just started runner and french beans!  I shall monitor the situation.

Cheers.  Tony.

[JayG]

I've successfully chitted runner, French and broad beans, but you do need to be very careful because, as Aidy has mentioned, they readily succumb to fungal infections if kept too wet.

Most reliable way for me is to soak them for a few hours in tepid water, then arrange them on damp kitchen paper in a sandwich box so they're not touching each other, cover with more kitchen paper, put lid on.
Keep the paper no more than damp (if it looks wet, it's too wet!)

(Why chit beans? Combination of sometimes using old seed, and a low boredom threshold when it comes to making paper pots!)

[Mr Dog]

Always amazes me how easily bean seeds can succumb to fungi when trying to grow for food but cough, cough years ago we always had success at school with a jam jar and saturated blotting paper!

[JayG]

Always amazes me how easily bean seeds can succumb to fungi when trying to grow for food but cough, cough years ago we always had success at school with a jam jar and saturated blotting paper!

Yes, 50+ years ago, but remembered even better than yesterday! 

[Growster...]

Mrs Growster successfully chitted twelve chilli plants from seed she carefully extracted from two-year-old fruit!

They're in the GH now, in new compost, covered and looking quite happy, but like cucumbers, may well have a plan to pop off at any time...

[Jiskoot]

I've just done my spinach this way, worked really well! 

[Wellington]

It worked brilliantly with the loofah seeds I accidentally left soaking for three days (I forgot them!) and meant I could just plant up the growers. I believe they have a poor germination rate, and hate being transplanted, but they all grew on really well after germinating in the water.

I may chit some parsnips, but I also wondered about direct sowing some under my pea arch. They take such an age to get going, that the peas will probably be done with before the parsnips really need the light.