Comments on: Holy Beans

By: Frank

Frank — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 20:34:52 +0000

patrick,
Owen has got it right here, bean weevils are acanthoscelides, and they have nothing to do with your coffe bags. The eggs are laid on the plants by the time the beans start drying in their pods, and they develop further during the storage of the dry beans. I tried to germinate similar beans a few times, and it’s a bit tricky: sometimes they germinate quite good, but if there are too many holes in it, they won’t make it. Be especially careful about watering, because of the holes they absorb water readily, and therefore tend to rot quicker. Good luck!

By: Patrick

Patrick — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 15:07:55 +0000

Hi OG,

I have mold problems most often on beans from less than healthy plants, perhaps because they are a little underdeveloped. For example, the first year or two growing a bean variety, and trying to get it acclimated to my garden.

The mold appears quickly, and most of the time destroys all of the beans in the jar within a short time. Sometimes a quick bleach treatment will save them, but not always.

I sometimes have mold problems even with beans stored in the open air, but then I don’t usually lose the whole batch in one go.

By: Ottawa Gardener

Ottawa Gardener — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 14:38:58 +0000

Interesting pictures. I’ve not yet had that sort of damage on beans but I’m always cautious about whether or not there could be a bean weavil infestation. I was wondering why you weren’t storing in jars as I haven’t had a problem with mould but I suppose it makes sense that some would have different requirements. It is also extremely dry in our house so I am generally lucky in that regard when it comes to seed saving.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 09:53:02 +0000

Rhizowen, great idea to sprout the seeds before planting them! Also, if I see any more of the weevils, I’ll try to take a picture. Now I’m curious…

Robert, I’ve tried storing beans many ways over the years. Just now, I’ve been using the coffee sacks you see in the picture, then in a box.

I’ve had problems storing beans in airtight containers, because of mold and the lack of air seemed to reduce the germination rates. Some varieties of beans just like to breath. This is why I was using the sacks. Of course now I’m a little afraid of not using airtight containers, in order to prevent more weevil problems. I’ve also had mice problems in the past.

I’ve frozen beans in the past, but this sometimes also reduces rates of germination or simply destroys the seeds, especially if they are not as dry as I think they are before I freeze them. I also don’t have unlimited freezer space at the moment.

I’ve tried using bleach to address mold problems with mixed success.

There doesn’t seem to be any magic solution to all problems, but your approach of a biscuit tin sounds like a good place to start.

By: Rhizowen

Rhizowen — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 21:16:54 +0000

As long as the seeds were healthy and the embryos haven’t been destroyed , most will probably germinate. Chit them before planting and eliminate the duds. I wonder whether coffee bean weevils feed on beans. They’re Aracereus if I remember correctly. Don’t think bean weevils Acantoscelides can feed on coffee. In any case the two groups of weevils aren’t closely related. Any entomologists, crop protection experts out there?

By: Robert Brenchley

Robert Brenchley — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:39:35 +0000

I’ve had problems with beans stored for eating, but I’ve never yet had weevils in my planting seed. How do you store seed? Mine sits in a couple of old biscuit tins. I don’t think an adult weevil could get in.