Allotments 4 All

I bought Ustie soya beans last year and sowed some recently. I tried chitting them first but most of them rotted very quickly and a few that developed root didn't germinate properly after planting.
What am I doing wrong? Do you think the seeds became old already? The packet says packed in the year ending Sep 2006.

If they rotted, then it sounds like they were kept too wet, and maybe too cold especially overnight. having said that I confess to never having tried to grow soya beans, but the same applies to many seeds.

Thanks quizzical. :) They were soaked overnight first. Do you think that made the beans too wet? Will use a propagator this time so that the temperature doesn't drop in the evening.

Tora, soya seeds are fragile, you need to be quite careful when planting them,I am told that the poor germination usually come s from rough handling or too wet,start the same way as you would for beans, warmth help, you need a quick germination to avoid rot. XX Jeannine

Thanks for your advice, Jeannine. :)

This time I soaked the beans for a few hours, put them on moist kitchen towel in a container with a lid. It's in a propagator and kept warm but the bean seem to be doing nothing, no sign of root... :(

Do you know how long soya beans stay viable?

On a slight tangent - where did you get them from? I have bought quite a few beans and peas to set off but haven't seen any packets of soya bean seed.

Tora, I have only grown them once or twice and that was some years ago. My old notes tell me I grew Early Hakucho.

I have made no notes re germination but have noted some damaged seeds which I chucked out,I  have put "barely made it to maturity" and underlined it,and that was in BC which is warmer than here,however the variety here might be better than the one I used.

Bean seeds usually keep 3 years officially but I have kept them much longer, however soya beans are very easily cracked so they probably don't keep very long, I am guessing on this one though You could try using a bean innoculant if it is available here,I would think so, it prevents the beans from rotting.
I don't know a UK source.

I think they should have been started before now though,I have transplanted June 6th , but haven't noted sowing dates.

Not much help I am afraid but it is all I know,have a google by variety name.

XX Jeannine

Thank you again Jeannine.

I bought the seeds only last year so hopefully I can sow them next year. Ustie is supposed to be suitable for UK climate but I don't know anybody who grew and had a success with it so I'm not sure how well it's supposed to do.

I'm going to store the beans in a tin and try not to damage them until next spring... :)

becky, I bought Ustie from Thompson & Morganwhen it was half price. The packet contains 400 seeds so it works out quite cheap (if you manage to get a crop, that is!). :D
Here you can see it. http://seeds.thompson-morgan.com/uk/en/product/833/2

Tora if you contact T&M and tell them about you zero germination I think they will replace them XX Jeannine

It would be brilliant if they can replace them! I will contact T&M. Thank you for letting me know. ;)

Been having a browse through the pages and logged in for the first time in ages!  I tried sowing Ustie a few weeks backs and have had zero germination also.    So You aren't the only one Tora.   I'm going to try sowing some more tomorrow.

Mark

Is this a starfish, a plant   or something you were going to tell us about. I sure isn't a soya bean XXX Jeannine

I have also failed with my first sowing of Ustie.  Trying again between damp paper towel in a lidded supermarket carton in the kitchen but so far nothing. Will keep you informed.  These look like they may become a challenge.

Quote from: Jeannine on June 19, 2007, 16:49:20
Is this a starfish, a plant   or something you were going to tell us about. I sure isn't a soya bean XXX Jeannine

For some reason, the 'starfish'(its actually a fungus) which is my profile pic has come out huge, so I have now removed it.   

I will try again with the soya beans either today or tomorrow, hopefully more luck this time

Mark

The batch I put in a propagator didn't germinate. It was warm and just moist, not wet.

I've now contacted T&M and told that I've had zero germination and there are other people who have had the same problem. Hope they reply...

Mark and Raisedbed, you should contact T&M too. Let's hope they will do something about it. :)

I also got Ustie from T&M . Mine have all germinated.
I think the trick is to treat them like sweetcorn and leave them some light. I usually do this by growing them in a plastic cup dibbing the hole , put bean in but dont fill the hole after it.
Its a tip i got from allotments4 all!
works for lots of seed that tend to rot such as zinnas to!

Sunloving, that sounds like a good tip! I'm going to use the method for my beans. Will try it with soya beans next year too. I didn't know they need light to germinate... :D

I got a reply from T&M and they say they are sending me a new packet. :)

Thanks Sunloving - I will also try that next.  My attempt at trying to germinate them between damp paper towel failed.  They all rotted.  Perhaps it will be 3rd time lucky.

hope it works for you guys and that in no time we will be asking how to cook soya? :)