this is my first year for growing runner beans, but having looked at the seeds im not sure which way to plant them. there is a little white bit on one side. which way up or down does this go??
i remember from whenst i was a young un at primary school, we did experiments with runner bean seeds. cannot remember the exact way, but we could watch the seed growing over the weeks and i think they have an in built mechanism that sends the root downwards and the shoot upwards.
so what im really on about is, i think you could put them in any old how.
maybe others here have tried and tested ways.
Dee
we put them in sideways sort of stood up, hope that makes sense ..it doesn't make sense to me, when I read it back..stood up , yes, that's it ;D
I just pop them in and they do the business and find their own way round.
Laying on their side would be the nature's way of germinating.
But anyway up would work.
Anyway up - they sort themselves out but I think it's still too early.
I tend to sow them vertically if you know what I mean.
I have the impression (rightfully or wrongfully) that if sown flat they tend to rot more readily.
Perhaps the bean interferes with drainage in some way!
Only a thought ???
I cheat, I put them on damp tissue in a lunch box when the white tap root shows I plant them in loo rolls. Works for me. ;)
mine just get shoved in the hole and they sort themselfs out! ;D
Hi all,
A tip from allegedly the best runner bean grower off his day, Brython Stenner, look carefully at the scar on the side of the bean (this is where the bean was attatched to the pod) at one end of the scar is a dimple, plant the seed vertically with this dimple facing DOWNWARDS. This ensures that the radicle emerges from each seed in the same way , giving uniform germination.
Adrian.
Anyway is up, baby, you and me now, anyway is up,baby, sorry I got carried away. ;D ;D ;D
woops i plant the dimple up
i think if you plant them lots of different ways you will get at least one and you will get plenty of beans from one...