[BobandJack]

I sowed my French beans in paper pots on the 4th and I have 3 up and going but....there are no signs of germination from the others.  How long do they normally take to germinate?

[Yorkie]

Which variety?  I assume you've checked the packet for germination times? 

[celjaci]

They are very suceptible to fungal rots if over watered, I would have a gentle dig down and see whats happening. Still plenty of time to re-sow if rotted

[BobandJack]

I've sown Blue Lake, Como D'oro and Purple Queen.  There's no germination time info on any of the packets.  Overwatering is a distinct possibilty so I might go & have a poke about.  I have some left so it's not the end of the world if they knackered - just disappointing  since I was so excited at having a couple germinate.

[David.]

I sowed my first batch of french beans a couple of weeks ago in cell trays in the greenhouse on the topm shelf where they'll stay warmest to germinate and only water when the soil is relatively dry.

They got moved into one of my coldframes today with the germination rate probably around 75%, but I'm certain loads more will come through.

The cold frames are protected against mice that would otherwise get in and destroy the plants.

P.S. The french beans are fine beans - fillet type - grown from saved seeds (Safari ?) that will will be the first of several batches that are sown several seeds to a cell (seems to help produce a nice small bean), and I always re-save seed from that first batch (which might need a bit of protection).

[BobandJack]

Yes they had rotted, so I'll sow a load more & water them less, hey ho, lesson learned.

[peapod]

and still plenty of time too 

[titch]

will be careful wtih mine then and try not to drown them 

[peterjf]

you could allways add 25% sharp sand to your compost for your beans and peas ,

that way they are wet and warm enough to germinate but no water stays on the seeds

 to make them rot,