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  • Masterpiece Broad Beans

    Is it best to chit these first in a bowl of water or just plant them straight into the ground or a pot?

    If I have to chit them first, how long should they go into water for?

  • #2
    Sometimes I chit them, sometimes not

    When I do, I put them on damp kitchen roll in a small bowl inside a plastic bag and put it in the warmest place I can find (usually above my computer). It only takes 2 or 3 days before the white roots pop out, then I plant them straight away.

    Because they virtually all germinate I don't think it makes a lot of difference.

    They love the warmth; there's no point sowing direct into the ground until we get some really warm sunny days. That's a few weeks away yet I think.
    My gardening blog: In Spades, last update 30th April 2018.
    Chrysanthemum notes page here.

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    • #3
      Thanks Martin. I'll not be putting them out anytime soon due to the cold snap we are having. It gets really cold here overnight. It was down to -1 last night.

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      • #4
        I chit mine on damp kitchen paper. its to then pot only the "good ones" and potting, rather than sowing direct, is to stop the mice nicking them!
        K's Garden blog the story of the creation of our garden

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        • #5
          I find broad beans germinate very easily, first year I had the plot I sowed 2 packets, thinking that as they were very old seeds that not many would come up. Ended up with almost 100% germination from seeds almost 10 years old simply by shoving the seeds just under the compost in root trainers. I sow quite a lot earlier as I want a crop pre other types of beans so it might be different now it's warmer (Jan / Feb when I sowed) but I germinate in my cool conservatory then grow on in the cold greenhouse before planting out.

          Some of us live in the past, always talking about back then. Some of us live in the future, always planning what we are going to do. And, then there are those, who neither look behind or ahead, but just enjoy the moment of right now.

          Which one are you and is it how you want to be?

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          • #6
            Originally posted by Martin H View Post
            They love the warmth; there's no point sowing direct into the ground until we get some really warm sunny days. That's a few weeks away yet I think.
            Please ignore this bit, I was thinking of Masterpiece FRENCH beans. You can sow broadies direct if you can keep the pests off.
            My gardening blog: In Spades, last update 30th April 2018.
            Chrysanthemum notes page here.

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            • #7
              Broad bean seeds are very liable to rot if too damp and too cold (or too warm) so I would NOT soak in water under any circumstances. I tend to chit mine in damp vermiculite and then leave them without adding any more water until they start sprouting, I then transplant them immediately into small pots of compost to grow on before planting out.

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              • #8
                I tried once putting half in water for a day and planting the other straight into pots indoors. I couldn't see a difference. I never sow beans direct because mice will eat most of them.

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                • #9
                  I have some planted straight into modules and some on damp kitchen roll having spend a day soaking in water. We shall see what is best...

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