Luvachicken Posted May 29, 2012 Share Posted May 29, 2012 Just before Easter I sowed some runner beans. Then it turned cold and nothing grew. Then a few weeks ago I sowed some more runner beans and some french beans. This time the runner beans grew and the french beans didn't. Both times I poked about in the soil to find a squidgy bean. The french beans I sowed in my conservatory next to the runner beans, as it was warmer. They both received the same amount of water etc so can any one explain why the runner beans grew but not the french beans ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted May 30, 2012 Share Posted May 30, 2012 I don't really know the answer, but I have heard that French beans can be a bit hard to grow whereas runners and broad beans are more straightforward. Perhaps it was just a bit too wet for the French? Also, I presume the seed was still viable - not old? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eggasperated Posted May 30, 2012 Share Posted May 30, 2012 I posted on here earlier in the year about all the trouble I have had with French Beans over the last few years. I would definitely make sure the seed is this years. After only half of mine came up again this year I decided to pop some in the propagator and then every one germinated, so possibly trying to give them some bottom heat might help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted May 30, 2012 Share Posted May 30, 2012 I find with french beans it's best to start the off in the greenhouse no extra heat that wat I get at least a 98% germination straight in the ground I get a 98% failure if I'm lucky runners I just do in the greenhouse because I'm doing the french but I'll sow runner seed as I plant the greenhouse ones out for a late crop. most of this years were up in a few days one variety took a bit longer and hardly any failed which was a shock as the runner seed is a bit old due to the fact I gave all of the fresh ones away Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted May 30, 2012 Share Posted May 30, 2012 French Beans need warmth and not too much water to germinate, we had a poor germination because we had run out of room in the greenhouse, some have come up in the warm weather but they are porr quality Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted May 31, 2012 Author Share Posted May 31, 2012 Oooo thanks for that. The French Beans were fresh seed - I only bought them the other day. Do you think I'll have time to start some more off in a propagator and still get a crop ? I won't water them too much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 it won't hurt to start more off but I would use any extra heat just indoors should do the trick as for fresh seed nealy all my failures this year have been from fresh seed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie_los Posted June 1, 2012 Share Posted June 1, 2012 I would definitely try and plant the frenchies inside until it becomes warmer, and then plant them in a warm sunny spot outside Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted June 1, 2012 Share Posted June 1, 2012 Most dwaft French beans can be sown until the end of this month. I am going to do some more this weekend to follow on from the first ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted June 1, 2012 Author Share Posted June 1, 2012 Thanks everyone I shall do some tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted June 1, 2012 Share Posted June 1, 2012 I grow a lot of beans and the only failure I had this year was a tray which I forgot to sprinkle with the organic slug pellets - the blighters eat them as they emerge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
