Broad Bean Seeds - upright or flat?

[Gillian]

Quick question - sorry it's a bit random.
But do you sow broad bean seeds upright or flat. I've seen it done either way but which one is correct?

[Gillian]

[Curryandchips]

I never knew there was a 'correct' way. I always presumed the beans knew which way was up !!!  :D I have no idea what orientation my beans are at.

Derek

[Mrs Ava]

I sow/plant larger seeds on their sides rather than flat in the compost only because  wisdom has it the water doesn't sit on the flat surface of the seed making them rot before they can germinate.  I do it with sunflowers, squash, beans and any other large flat seeds.

[Robert_Brenchley]

I just dib a hole and drop them in. They grow.

[OllieC]

I think they turn themselves around if they're not happy. Clever things, seeds :)

[Larkshall]

No, they don't turn themselves round. What they do is send the top shoot up and the root down.

A seed laying flat would be in no more danger of rotting than one on edge, capillary action would not allow water to lay on top. If the ground is waterlogged that is different and in that case it doesn't make any difference which way it lays, it WILL rot.

[Gillian]

That's decided then! upright it is.

Thanks

[Mrs Ava]

Put me in my place then.  ;D

[Hyacinth]

Put me in my place then.  ;D

Move over Em. Make room for me :D

[tim]

"Scar downwards" - quote!!

[Curryandchips]

Presumably that is the root end ...

[Ceratonia]

Tsk. You all need to go back to school  ;) Broad bean germination in a jam jar with some cotton wool was part of the national curriculum for science at one point (maybe it still is)?

The scar is where the bean attached to the pod. Next to it is a tiny hole (micropyle) which lets water in. As Curry & Tim suggested, the root emerges through the micropyle and grows downward. If the scar is facing upward, the root just grows round the bean and then downwards. The seed leaves of broad beans stay below ground after germination (hypogeal germination) and the plant uses the starch - the original bean simply gets used up. So after a few weeks of growth, you wouldn't be able to tell which way round it had been anyway.

So it probably doesn't matter which way round they land in the soil, but if you want to consciously place broad beans in a particular orientation, scar downwards is one that makes some sense.

[Hyacinth]

Just like Em and I thought ;D

Thanks C 8)

[saddad]

National Curriculum? We were doing that one in the 60's to my knowledge!
:-X

[Mrs Ava]

Phew.   ;)Lish, good job we pay attention in classes huh  :)

[cornykev]

Please Sir can I go to the toilet.   ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D