Common Beans growth stages

Bean plants need moist, well-drained soil, with a pH value between 6 and 7.2. Undrained soil and water logging can lead to bean rot. The soil should not have extreme moisture or water-holding capacity, as too much water can rot the beans or saplings. An excess of fertilizers must be avoided. These plants do not have very high fertilizer requirements, and grow well even in normal soils. However, to improve the quality of the soil, organic manure may be used.

The best temperature range is 60 to 80 degrees F. Harsh weather conditions can interfere with pod formation. The ideal time for sowing is one week before the last frost-free date in a particular region. Beans must be planted 2 to 3 inches apart, to ensure proper nutrient availability and space. On average, it takes about 2-3 months for a bean to grow into a mature plant. The exact period varies according to the variety of beans and the weather and soil conditions.

Vegetative (V) Stages

• VE – Emergence – Cotyledons (embryonic leaves) emerge from the soil surface.
• VC – Cotyledon – The monofoliate leaves a lot of unrolling, so the edges of the leaves do not touch.
• V1 – First node – One row of unfolded trifoliate leaves.
• V(n) – nú trifolate – V stages continue with the release of the trifolate leaves.

• R1 – Flowers begin – Plants have at least one flower.
• R2 – Full flower – One open flower at one of the two upper nodes.
• R3 – Form pods – Pods are approximately 5mm in size at one of the top four nodes with a fully developed leaf.
• R4 – Pods fully formed – The pods are around 2cm in size at one of the four highest nodes.
• R5 – Seed form – The seed is 3mm long in the pod at one of the four highest nodes on the main stem.
• R6 – Full seed formation – A pod containing a green seed that fills the capacity of the pod at one of the four highest nodes on the main stem.
• R7 – Maturity begins – One normal pod on the main stem has reached a mature color (grey, tan or brown)
• R8 – The plants are fully mature – 95% of the pods have reached their color fully ripe (grey, tan or brown).

Soaked bean seeds for better germination

Bean seeds soaked in water may help promote germination. First, fill a bowl with water that is about 80 °F. Place the seeds in the bowl and then place the bowl on a heating mat so the water stays warm. Leave the seeds in the bowl overnight so they can absorb the water and swell. Then, drain the seeds and lay them on a paper towel for a short time until they are dry and easier to handle.

The speed of seed germination and overall germination rate in bush bean seeds is highly dependent on conditions. Seeds do not grow well indoors and transplant poorly. So they should be started in a sunny outdoor plant bed after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed. As with all bean seeds, bush bean seeds need warm conditions to germinate successfully. A soil temperature of 70 to 80 °F is ideal, although the seeds will sprout at lower soil temperatures with reduced success. Moisture is also critical, and should be closely monitored to prevent overwatering. The soil should be kept fairly moist while the seeds germinate, but the top 1/2 inch of soil should be allowed to dry out slightly between watering sessions to keep the seeds from drowning.