Green beans are a delicious vegetable that can be grown easily in home gardens If you’re new to planting green beans, you may be wondering – what do the sprouts look like when they first emerge? Knowing what to expect will help you identify seedlings correctly and care for them properly in those critical early stages
In this complete visual guide we will cover
- What green bean seeds look like
- How seeds germinate and sprout
- Identifying young green bean seedlings
- Differences between bush and pole bean sprouts
- Common problems with sprouting
- Caring for seedlings
So let’s get started!
What Do Green Bean Seeds Look Like?
Green bean seeds are generally small, oval or rounded, and white, tan, or brown in color. Sizes range from 1/2 inch for bush beans to almost 1 inch for pole beans. Popular varieties like Blue Lake, Contender, and Kentucky Wonder have medium-sized white seeds.
Beans have a indented hilum on one side – this is where the seed attaches inside the pod. You can identify bean seeds by the prominent hilum.
How Do Green Bean Seeds Germinate?
Green bean seeds germinate in stages:
1. Imbibition – The seed coat softens and swells as it absorbs water. Enzymes are activated.
2. Radicle emergence – The primary root breaks through the seed coat and grows downwards into the soil.
3. Hypocotyl elongation – The hypocotyl stem starts growing upwards towards sunlight.
4. Emergence – The hypocotyl emerges from the soil with the seed coat shed. The first true leaves form and unfold.
This process takes 4-14 days from planting depending on soil temperature and moisture. Warmer soils speed up germination.
What Do Green Bean Sprouts Look Like?
Once they’ve emerged from the soil, green bean sprouts look like this:
Leaves – The first seed leaves (cotyledons) are smooth, oval-shaped, and bright green. They are attached at the top of the hypocotyl stem.
Stem – The hypocotyl stem is slender, smooth, and light green. It may appear slightly pinkish or purple-tinged.
Roots – The primary root is thin, white, and averages 2-3 inches long. Small lateral roots emerge from the sides.
Differences Between Bush and Pole Bean Sprouts
While bush and pole bean sprouts look very similar at first, a few subtle differences emerge as they grow:
Bush Bean Sprouts
- Shorter hypocotyls and smaller cotyledons
- Grow slower, reaching 4-6 inches tall
- Leaves remain small and rounded
Pole Bean Sprouts
- Taller hypocotyls with larger cotyledons
- Grow vigorously, getting 8-12 inches tall
- Leaves are more elongated and heart-shaped
Potential Problems When Sprouting
These issues can disrupt the sprouting process:
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Poor germination due to old seeds, improper planting depth, or temperatures under 65°F
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Damping off disease causes rotten, collapsed stems and seedling death
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Bean leaf beetles chew holes in cotyledons and can kill seedlings
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Rotten or shrivelled seeds indicate fungal diseases that have infected the seeds
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Curled leaves can be caused by herbicide drift landing on seedlings
Caring for Green Bean Seedlings
Green bean sprouts need attentive care for their first few weeks of growth:
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Keep soil evenly moist but avoid overwatering. Water at the base avoiding leaves.
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Make sure sprouts get 8+ hours of direct sunlight daily. Turn pots or trays occasionally for even growth.
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Protect from pests like slugs, snails, and leaf miners which target young seedlings.
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Shield sprouts from harsh weather like heavy rains, hail, or strong winds which can damage them.
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Fertilize lightly with a balanced soluble fertilizer once true leaves emerge.
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Thin bush bean seedlings to 4-6 inches apart. Gently remove weaker looking sprouts.
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Set up trellises for pole beans once they reach 6 inches tall. Help train vines to climb upwards.
When Can You Transplant Green Bean Sprouts?
Green bean sprouts should be transplanted outdoors once they are 3-4 weeks old and all danger of frost has passed. Harden off plants for 5-7 days before transplanting. Look for sprouts that are stout, leafy, and 6-8 inches tall. Gently dig up sprouts retaining some soil around the roots. Plant at the same depth it was growing in the container. Water well and shelter from hot sun for a few days.
It’s exciting seeing those first green sprouts push up from the soil! Knowing what to look for takes the guesswork out of identifying green bean seedlings. A bit of attentive care in those early weeks will ensure your sprouts grow into healthy, productive green bean plants. Just keep an eye out for common sprouting problems and treat them promptly. With the proper start, you’ll be harvesting bushels of delicious green beans in no time!
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What is the nutritional value of bean sprouts?
People think of bean sprouts as a superfood because they are very healthy and full of nutrients. They are low in calories, high in protein, and full of vitamins and minerals. They feature living enzymes that help with digestion and promote the metabolic process.
Bean sprouts offer a lot of dietary fiber. They aid in helping assist the digestive tract by allowing stools to pass easier. Bean sprouts have a significant amount of iron, which helps maintain a healthy red blood cell count.
Heart health will also benefit if you incorporate bean sprouts into your diet. Bean sprouts lower the risk of heart disease and stroke by keeping cholesterol levels in the blood steady and stopping plaque from forming.
For pregnant women, eating bean sprouts is also good for them because they have a lot of folate. Folate supports the growth of the fetus and helps the brain develop by lowering the risk of neural tube defects.
How are bean sprouts grown?
Growers will pick whole and bright green seeds because these seeds will offer the best results for growth.
Bean sprouts are usually grown by germinating green or black mung beans or soybeans in containers and then putting a big stone on top of them in a room with controlled temperature. They typically require a warm and moist environment to encourage the bean or seed sprout to grow. The bean sprouts are watered several times a day.
How the water moves, how good it is, and the nutrients and humidity in the area where bean sprouts grow can all affect their quality and growth cycle. Bean sprouts are stored in containers and sorted by stage of growth. They grow for four to six days.
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FAQ
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