[al78]

Last year I sowed two packets of dwarf and climbing French beans and ended up with about five plants in total, the rest didn't even show. This year, I sowed some dwarf French beans in pots and modules and managed 100% germination. I also sowed some three year old climbing bean seed I picked up from a seed swap event and at least two thirds of that has germinated, so I'm feeling rather pleased overall. The one thing I did differently this year was to take the advice of someone on this forum and make sure the compost was not kept continuously damp after sowing the seed. Whoever it was, thanks for the tip  .

[Yana]

Not sure I was that careful  watering the bean seeds Al, however I've had a really good germination rare this year.
I sowed Cossee Violette (climbing purple bean), barlotti and annabel (dwarf bean).

[boddy]

can I clarify al78, were you told to make sure the compost was kept continuously damp or the make sure the compost WAS NOT kept continuously damp?


Thanks

[al78]

can I clarify al78, were you told to make sure the compost was kept continuously damp or the make sure the compost WAS NOT kept continuously damp?


Thanks

I was advised to make sure the compost was not kept continuously damp as otherwise it can lead to rotting of the seeds.

[JayG]

French and runner bean seeds are large and need quite a bit of moisture to rehydrate them - I give them a good watering initially to do that and then don't water again until the compost is almost dry (care required, especially if sown in compost in narrow paper pots or toilet roll tubes - a few mils of water either way can make the difference between too soggy and too dry, both of which can cause problems.)

[boddy]

just potted some seeds going to give this a try!
Thanks

[sunshineband]

Maybe this is why the germination of some of my larger seeded varieties of French beans have been poor so far. I shall be sowing some more later today, as there is still time

Thanks for the tip 

[Salmo]

What I find works well with big seeds in modules and root trainers is to pack the compost in tight up to the level you want to sow the seeds, water well, put the seeds on the wet compost, cover with more compost and push down tight.

Do not water again until the plants emerge, and then not too much.

[grendel]

Strange - I just throw my French beans into holes poked a few inches deep with the rake handle straight into the plot, cant say I have a high failure rate, I do poke a new hole and fill any gaps once they start coming up, but that's usually just one or two. so far I have planted nearly 350 French bean plants (6 rows)- (last weekend), we are still using last years crop from the freezer.
Grendel

[Yorkie]

350 

How many freezers do you own?! 

[Rosehip]

How many people are you feeding Grendel  and is it beans 365 days a year?thought I was bad with 30 plants.

[grendel]

4 freezers, one is just for beans and apples. last year I had about 40 rows of various peas and different beans.
Grendel

[RJR_38]

I Might have to try that - out of 2 sowings of 16 I have got 5 plants on the go.... I was sure I didn't have this problem last year

[mrsbean]

sowed mine in trays as i always do, but had them in blowaway as some of you call them. one tray not to bad other tray hit and miss beans poking out mouldy, think to much humidity. will do more and keep drier.

[heygrow]

Interesting and timely topic. I don't have any problem with runner bean germination, but always seem to struggle with French beans. I have some in the ground, some in pots and some trying to chit on damp cotton wool. None showing yet. I think I will try and follow advice given here. Thanks.

Enjoyed the chuckle at the comments about Grendal's 350 plants. 350! It still makes me chuckle to think of all those beans that need to be consumed.