[green_lolly]

Hiya all

I'm a total beginner so would appreciate some advice.

Out of 12 broad beans I planted only 1 has grown.

They were newly bought seeds, started outdoors in a deep seed tray under cover.  Then moved indoors to avoid frost. Tried a cool window sill then a sunny window sill then finally the airing cupboard when I got one solitary seedling. This was over about 3 weeks.

Where do you think I went wrong and any advice for another go with the remaining seeds?

Thanks

Lolly

[allot2learn]

They're probably travel sick. 
Mine went in the ground last week. They take about three weeks to emerge above ground. the frost won't hurt broad beans. It's the French and runner beans that wont tolerate frost.

[surbie100]

Just be patient with them - mine took 3+ weeks to come up and were in our bedroom on the floor till they started to emerge. The longest straggler took 4 weeks to come up. Some stuff (eg garlic, chillies, broad beans) is just slower to do its thing.

[Salmo]

Started mine in root trainers in the house, moved to a cold frame once emerged (38 out of 40), planted out when first leaves well formed, 2 X 10 ft rows, looked a picture. Covered with mesh tunnel to keep crows off.

Then mice dug down for the beans and chipped 15 of them off. SNAP - SNAP - SNAP went the traps, damage ceased.

Now waiting until the ground dries to move plants about to make 1 good 10 ft row.

[crh75]

I sowed some on the 28th Jan in pots in a cold green house.  They have only just started to come up!

[Italian Bob.]

Hi

This is what i did this year and it worked out

Freezer bag , compost , broad beans , a little water

Sealed and placed on window seal until you see them shoot then plant

This method filters out the bean that dont shoot

All of mine are in the ground now and growing well


Good luck

[green_lolly]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

I will give it a little longer before I give up on them but may start off a few extras using Italian Bob's method just in case.

Lolly

[Totty]

They always seem to take ages. I have started lining a seed tray with newspaper, spreading the seed out in the tray and then cover with the other half of paper, keep the paper damp and put another seed tray on top to exclude light. Within 3 days they will start throwing roots and you can plant up safe in the knowledge they have not rotted.

Totty

[Bing]

they can bear cold and should be left outdoors.

[Ivor Backache]

  If it was me I would start an investigation.  1 out of 12 is not good. Not sure about the seed tray. I start mine in pots 5" deep, because they send a tap root out first. Carefully dig them up and if they have started a tap root then you can put them in their own pots and bring them on. If there is no root system then you will need to start again. Broad beans don't need to be in the airing cupboard .
 Try soaking in water for 2 days--they will swell up. Then place between two thick layers of damp kitchen paper to keep moist. You will see the root emerge after a week and then plant each in a pot. When the  leaves are established transfer to the ground.
 

[green_lolly]

Hello all

An update for those kind enough to offer advice on this.

After trying to be patient I eventually started more off which I had soaked overnight. Weeks later and still nothing so I chitted some on damp paper and after just a few days got strong sprouts from 5 out of the 6. (Will attempt to attach photo) I've planted these 5 into pots today and so I'm hopeful that these will do well.

I also investigated those in the seed tray that never grew. Some had rotted and others were swollen but no signs of a tap root. I've chucked them outside just in case they decide to grow one day.

Let's hope not everything is this difficult!