czar beans turned to mush

[Karen]

Hi Charles,

I think I screwed up somewhere with the sowing of the Czar runner beans. I sowed them on the 25th May in module trays. And so far only 1 have germinated out of 42 seeds. (some from you and others from Johnsons).

I decided to check them today by digging some of the compost out of the modules and discovered that the seeds have turned to mush and smelled rather bad.

Have I overwatered them and cooked them in the heat? Or perhaps there´s something wrong with the compost?
I feel rather silly. 🙁

[Karen]

Perhaps I should re-sow into root trainers too? I have modules that are double the depth of the ones I was using. I have attached a pic of the only healthy lone survivor.

[Stringfellow]

Hi Karen. Mine didn’t go according to plan this year either and I put it down to over watering and it being too cold in the greenhouse without heat from beneath. Next year this will get more attention as I wish to grow these and climbing borlottis in quantity and I’ve yet to get a harvest that I am satisfied with; best of luck with yours.

[Karen]

Hey Stringfellow,

Thanks for your feedback … it seems several of us have a huge problem with overwatering… ha! The ´maternal´ instincts to our plants ended up in their demise!

I am determined to try another sowing and have ordered another lot of seeds. I reckon it still isn’t too late to sow still as suggested by Charles in his posts and updates. Let´s give it another shot and see what Charles has to say.

Our sweetcorn, peas and sugar snap peas are growing beautifully and ABUNDANTLY (the sugar snap peas!)

I am really determined to grow the Czar beans as they taste really good. 🙂

[charles]

Karen, sorry you had this and yes its moisture.
I moisten compost to 100% when I have just sown seeds, then nothing for a couple of days (unless blistering hot) and then water moderately until plants have some strong leaves, when they start to pump water from the module.
On cloudy days I water very little.
When raising plants, they all have different water requirements so its good to use a fine, even rose which enables accurate placement of water, more for some and less for others.
Best of luck with your new sowing.

[Karen]

Ok Thanks Charles, at least now some of us will know what not to do when sowing beans 🙂

Fingers crossed on the next lot!

[Author]

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