soybeans- starting in mels mix

dmpower 5/2/2010, 7:15 pm

I have been having a problem starting edamame, soybeans, in Mel's Mix. When the sprouts start, the heads are too large and the mix too dense. They break off trying to get through the surface. I have tried planting them closer to the top of the soil and have the same problem. Sometimes they start to sprout and rot before reaching the surface. My last attempt, today, was to lay them on the surface and cover them with peat moss only. Out of 36 seeds I have two plants. Have you had any similar problems? Do you have any suggestions?? Any info would be greatly appreciated

Mirjam 5/3/2010, 2:56 am

you could try letting them sprout in a bowl, filled halfway with water. They suck up most of the water, so you'll have to refill now and than. After 4 days, most of them will have sprouted and made about a cm long roots, so you can plant them with the root pointing down (well, that's obvious ofcourse), but that way that can push up straight (if you put the beans/peas in the soil, it's hard to see if you've put em upside down soybeans- starting in mels mix Icon_smile

). My peas and sugarsnaps did great this way. Plus you gain a few days.

dmpower 5/4/2010, 7:10 pm

Thanks, I like that idea. I will fill in my plantings with ones I start in water when I see what I have ended up with. It looks like the soy that I planted with only peat moss on top will come out nicely.
Thanks again!

dmpower 6/2/2010, 12:26 am

My edimame is up and running!! The seeds that were laid on top of Mel's Mix, with only peat moss placed on top did very well. In fact they are substantially larger now than the few plants that survived my first attempt. I'm guessing it was our very wet spring that made the mix a little too heavy for them.
All is well - thanks

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soybeans- starting in mels mix

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planting update - success

Re: soybeans- starting in mels mix


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