mouldy french bean seeds

[johnbilly]

can anyone help with this problem? i planted my dwarf and climbing french beans three weeks ago. nothing appeared to be happening with them so i decided to have a peek at them.
would you believe every single seed (42 in total) had gone mouldy?
does anyone know of a reason why this would happen?
please help as ive never heard of this happening before.

[muckdiva]

This has happened to me a few times, usually the problem is:

Old seed, no longer viable
Cold or over wet conditions / compost

One way you might be able to get around this is by soaking the bean seeds for a couple of hours or overnight (but not too long as this can also make the seeds disintegrate..., then roll them loosely in some damp kitchen roll and leave them somewhere like an airing cupboard to sprout. Once they have sprouted, just sow straight out into the garden, or pots if you prefer. Has worked pretty well so far for me.

I'm sure there will be some more experienced grapes along shortly with more advice.

Good luck

[johnbilly]

This has happened to me a few times, usually the problem is:

Old seed, no longer viable
Cold or over wet conditions / compost

One way you might be able to get around this is by soaking the bean seeds for a couple of hours or overnight (but not too long as this can also make the seeds disintegrate..., then roll them loosely in some damp kitchen roll and leave them somewhere like an airing cupboard to sprout. Once they have sprouted, just sow straight out into the garden, or pots if you prefer. Has worked pretty well so far for me.

I'm sure there will be some more experienced grapes along shortly with more advice.

Good luck

nice one. I think i,ll give that a go. cheers

[Flummery]

Usually it's cold and wet as Muckdiva says. Pregermination certainly ensures your planted seeds are the viable ones. However, not being too anxious to get them going and waiting until May helps too!

[Paulottie]

Welcome to the vine Johnbilly....Too wet then!

[unconcerned]

I just did exactly the same thing.
Except one bean survived.
Compost was too wet.

[Reverend Mother]

And mouldy sweetcorn seeds too !

[Paulottie]

Welcome to the Reverend Mother. Just saved a batch of over-watered sweetcorn seeds as well. but v. quickly saw they were too wet ( 1.1/2 days) before rot could set in.

[Lesley Jay]

Welcome to the Grapevine Reverend Mother it's a great place!

[vicki lorraine]

Paulottie
How did you rescue the seeds?

[Paulottie]

Took them out of the waterlogged soil after approx 48 hrs. then mixed in some dry stuff from potting bench and replanted them. (3/18 failed; plus 2 in 1 where I couldn't find seed!) better than i was getting with the earlier batches of this seed(approx 60%)

[terrier]

My packet says french beans need a minimum temperature to germinate. At this time of year, cold and wet I don't think I would germinate either. Treat your seeds as you would be treated. Mine are in the house in insulated trays and they all are showing signs of life.

[Flummery]

Mine are out now. (Just today!) I've decided to be a hard woman. (well, a bit soft centred, back-ups still in pots!)