[Apostrophes]

Two entire seed packets of broad beans (different varieties) have failed to germinate after several weeks. hey were in pots outside. I know they like the cold but maybe it was too cold for them. I have decided to do what I always did before: start them off indoors. I know that makes them leggy but they always recover and at least they germinate.

However, I have a lot of them and not that much room on windowsills where the light will get to them. But do they need that much light right now or is heat the main thing to make them germinate?

Thanks,

Richard

[mumofstig]

gentle warmth to germinate then they need as much light as poss..........start hardening them off when they are stull quite small.

[JayG]

The majority of veg seeds germinate best at quite warm temperatures and don't need light to do so, but that doesn't necessarily mean they also grow best at that temperature.

Broad beans are one of the hardiest veg, so need to go somewhere cool but as light as possible immediately after germination (if they have gone leggy it is already too late, but obviously the extent to which they will recover their strength depends on just how leggy they have become.)

[Mark's Sussex Allotment]

If they were in pots, I guess it depends on how small the pots were, and if they got frozen.

I think most things can germinate in a dark airing cupboard, and then need light after germination.

Although BB's like it a bit cooler.