Sowing beans indoors

[bupster]

I've got a couple of slightly rare beans from the heritage seed library and from the pass the parcels that I've sown indoors simply because I had slightly dodgy germination and lots of slug damage outdoors last year, and a bit more time on my hands indoors than I expected (rainy Mondays off work...)

Now belatedly doing some research, I've discovered that they're susceptible to root shock. Bugger. If I lose them I lose them, but I'd rather not. Having planted them in tiny plastic pots, does anyone have any ideas on the best way of avoiding root shock? Shall I wait till they've just germinated and transplant them into those biodegradable pots? Or loo rolls? Or bigger plastic pots to give them a proper indoor headstart?

[bupster]

[Melbourne12]

If you've only just sown them, you could move them straight away.  By experiment we've found that the best way to do beans is to use one of those plastic mesh produce trays.  Line the bottom with newspaper, fill with a suitable compost, and plant the beans.

There's plenty of room for the roots, and when you come to plant them out you can take up a nice big scoop of compost all around the young plant with a trowel, and settle it into its final home.

The only disadvantage is that it can be a bit messy when you move the trays, since compost can spill through the mesh sides.

[goodlife]

I always sow all of my beans in pots and they never have suffered root shock even some of them are prone to like yours.
If you just let them develop strong root system before pulling (gently teasing) out of the pots..less disturbance...
I sow mine in 3 inch pots and they are there untill transplanting them.
When it comes to planting I always put handfull of "same" compost into planting hole so the roots are in contact similar growing medium than they have first got used to...to reduce the shock.. ::)...I don't know if it really works that way, but it certainly haven't hurt them and I haven't have dissapointments neither...
As I have been happy with this system I shall carry on regardless... ;D

[Tee Gee]

There is root shock and there is root shock.

The one being referred to is when you tease them out of the compost then plant them up to a larger pot which sometimes breaks roots.

The way you have done it  i.e. in pots, means you won't do this because when you move it from the pot you will take the whole root ball, and all the roots will be intact.

That is providing you don't let it get pot bound and let the roots come out the drainage holes. The chances are the roots that are sticking out of the pot will get damaged when you move it from the container.

What type of beans are they? never heard/read anything about root disturbance with beans being a problem before ???

[bupster]

I did a google search on sowing beans indoors and pretty much all of the sites I found mentioned planting into peat pots or direct sowing to minimise root shock. Still, if others haven't had too much trouble I might wait until they're up and pop them into cardboard pots which will then get soaked and planted straight out. Might not slow them up too badly and will give them a chance to outstrip the slugs...

[gunnerbee]

always put five in a pot and put them in greenhouse, stops the mice getting them early, actually some of mine are in the kitchen and coming through! never had a problem with growing them this way.

[allaboutliverpool]

I have planted beans of all sorts inside and outside and in every sort of container. I have even pulled them out of the soil with little soil when both beans at a  pole have failed and two at another have grown.

I have never shocked a root yet!

http://www.allaboutliverpool.com/allaboutallotments_Vegetables_Broad_Beans.html

http://www.allaboutliverpool.com/allaboutallotments_Vegetables_Beans_Runner.html

[Robert_Brenchley]

I've started them in seed trays then pulled them apart loads of times, and never had problems.

[asbean]

Never heard of root shock, have tried all different ways of growing them, and haven;'t had any probs.

[Curryandchips]

I always tend to germinate mine in seed trays, then plant out into individual pots as soon as the root is visible. I can't do this in my greenhouse, as the rodents have a party as soon as my back is turned ! Once the plants are established with several leaves, then all seems ok.

[growmore]

Mine get set in seed trays, they stay there till they are big enough to plant out .
I just scoop em out with my trowel or my hands if roots are intertwined . I have never had any problems with runners or dwarves doing it this way ... I don't use peat pots, once had some plants root bound in them, even when set out in the garden  the pots didn't  break down. What you have to watch with beans is the cold .Don't set em out too early .

[tim]

Agree that they can be sown in trays & torn out when ready for planting out.

These - if they all come through - will stay where they are till planting.

[manicscousers]

this is where we are at the moment, next lot going in at the weekend   :)

[Trevor_D]

Like most other folk, I always sow mine indoors & transplant them. (I use the 24 modules that fit a standard seed tray.) Never had any problems at all.

(I have a theory that a lot of the "information" published in books & magazines, and now on the web, is simply copied from previous books & magazines, without actually being tested.)

[bupster]

The consensus does seem to be "don't be daft". Interesting to note that US sites in particular seem to recommend sowing outdoors and UK gardeners all start indoors.

[Robert_Brenchley]

(I have a theory that a lot of the "information" published in books & magazines, and now on the web, is simply copied from previous books & magazines, without actually being tested.)

I think you're right. So many books simply repeat the same very basic, conventional stuff, padded out with yet another set of pretty pics. Time was, when a 'picture book' was something you gave to a three- or four-year old who couldn't read yet. Now they're produced for adults. The real test of dependency is whether successive book repeat the same error or obvious omission. Beekeeping books, for instance, all repeat the same catalogue of pests. They alway dwell on mice, which are easily dealt with, and never seem to mention rats, which can be far worse.