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Re: Pregermination - Bush Beans

Hi Toni,

> Dear List Members:

> I have another question about green beans.  The American Horticultural
> Society Encyclopedia of Gardening suggests that you soak beans seeds on damp
> paper towels until they sprout, then plant.  The Johnny Seed catalog says "Do
> not presoak the seeds to hasten germination, as this can harm the structure."

> Can anyone help with these two conflicting suggestions?

> Thanks

> Toni
> Zone 5

Okay, here's my take on it:

Beans need adequate warmth to germinate, at least 16C - if the soil is too cold
the seeds will rot before they sprout. This is why it is often suggested to wait
until a week or two after the frost-free date before planting out beans.

If you are determined to get your beans going earlier than this you can
presprout them in the warmth indoors.  Once sprouted their metabolisms are in
motion and they are more tolerant of the cool soil conditions of spring and much
less likely to rot.

However, once beans are soaked and sprouting their tissues are soft and easily
damaged.  Beans are particularly sensitive to root disturbance and this is why
they are not commonly transplanted.  You can still plant presprouted beans but
you must do so with the utmost care so as not to fatally "bruise" their fragile
tissues.

So if you're just wanting to have a few extra early beans then go ahead and
presprout and carefully plant them.  But if you're wanting a big planting of
beans then it's probably best to wait until a week or two after the frost free
date and sow your beans straight out of the package.

BTW, the above "presprouting-makes-for-delicate-planting" scenerio is true of
most other types of seeds but it is sometimes worth the extra effort.  Sugar
snap peas and supersweet corn varieties come to mind as two examples - for a
gardener in a short season climate such as myself getting a jump start on the
season is a annual mission! ;-)

   ____________________
  |                    |
  |     Bob Carter     | Kootenay Bay
  |  bcarter@awinc.com | BC, Canada
  |____________________|


Vini, vidi, da Vinci - I came, I saw, I painted.
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