Bean Plant Growth Process

Germination

• Before the growth process truly begins, seed germination takes place underground. When the bean planted in soil receives water, the seed begins to grow and breaks through the hard outer shell of the bean, reaching toward the surface of the soil.

Emergence and Early Vegetative Growth

• When the new bean seedling emerges from the surface of the soil, vegetative growth begins. During this stage, the hypocotyl, or plant embryo, emerges and the plant develops two rudimentary leaves, or cotyledons; two compound leaves with a single leaflet, or unifoliolates; and three compound leaves with three leaflets, or trifoliolates.

Branching and Rapid Vegetative Growth

• During the next stage of vegetative growth, a fourth trifoliolate leaf unfolds and rapid new growth occurs, with new branches forming and additional trifoliolate leaves developing.

Flowering and Pod Formation

• During the flowering and pod formation stage, the vegetative and reproductive stages overlap. Buds form and flowers bloom. Pods develop, and when about half the pods have reached their maximum length, the process moves on to the next stage.

Pod Fill and Maturation

• During the final reproductive stage, seeds develop inside the pods. The pods mature, turning color and ripening until the pods are ready for harvest and propagation of the developed seeds.