[corndolly]

WG yesterday I put all the bean seeds onto damp paper ,in shallow trays covered with cling film , decided that way I will see the root shoot and  you're right, I'll know every one I plant will be ready to grow .

As there are a lot and tray space is limited, I have put alternate layers of damp paper and beans ,3 layers in each tray, do you think it will still work, I could nt see a problem .

when the root shoot appears I will put them into pots , was thinking of using cardboard tubes from toilet rolls , we've been collecting them.

[WG.]

Sounds good to me CD.  I'd be putting them straight into their final position once the root shoot appears so you might want to try a few that way too.   I stick them in about 1.5" below the surface & they are still young enough to figure out where is ground level.

By all means use pots / loo roll centres but it is extra work IMHO.

[corndolly]

We have got rabbit problem still , so I thought I would grow the bean plants to about 6-8"  before planting out , around the end of this month.

[WG.]

Righto

[Aidy]

Just a short note on the pre chitting, coz of my problems with my bolotti's this year rotting I did email T&M regarding my problem and I have just read that beans should NOT be pre soaked as this can increase the possibillity of halo blight. The suggested method of germination by T&M is to soak the compost with cheshunt solution before chucking the seed in and not the  pre soaking.  :? However the method I have just tried is to soak for 3 hours nip the skin and sow, this has given me 100% germination and we will see if Halo blight does become a problem.

[corndolly]

Thanks Aidy, What is Halo Blight ?

[WG.]

http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/todo_now/faqs.php?id=32