Sweet Peas 2021….

[nickdub]

The exact height when you take out the tips is not important. The main aim is to get a bushier plant which ultimately means more flowers. I may be wrong but I believe some growers who are aiming for a few show quality flowers grow the plants as a type of cordon with just one main stem, so they produce the best and longest stemmed blooms but only a few, so the plant puts all its energy into those.

[Bren In Pots]

I pinch mine out when they have 4 sets of leaves they seem to do fine. Not got around to sowing any yet so will have to do it this month.

[Babru]

I tried autumn sown ones years ago but found them to be poor plants come spring, pretty weather beaten. Probably better now I have a cold frame though.

However I now sow some in January for early flowers, and some more in March to keep the show going in a separate spot. I just took mine out on Sunday, and they had done really well, despite the average summer we had here in Edinburgh.

I choose named varieties supposed to have best scent. The one that did best for me this year, by a mile, was Anniversary. Loads of flowers with long stems (just left to themselves to grow), flowered all summer, fantastic perfume.

[nickdub]

Just goes to show I think that where you live has a big effect on what methods will work best for you in the garden - no surprise really :-)

[annie8]

I am in Edinburgh too. 2 of my 3 sweet pea wigwams are still in the garden and flowering. They were planted in the autumn can’t believe they have lasted so long.

[Babru]

Did you actually plant out in flowering position last autumn annie8?

[annie8]

No I didn’t plant them out until the spring.

[rary]

I have a sweet pea plant growing through a shrub, a self seeder from 2 years ago, and even though there has been some frost, the plant is still looking healthy, though no flowers now

[Babru]

I had a self seed plant this year, and was impressed by the scent and length of stem. The flowers were blue. Someone I worked with years ago told me she saved sweet pea seeds and they all came up blue. We figured they must revert to the original sweet pea colour. For this reason, I've never bothered to save seeds, as I like a mix of colours.

Does anyone know if they do all come up blue? If they do, how do growers get colours!

[Bren In Pots]

Babru I save sweet pea seeds mine are always a variety of colours, wonder if its 'an old wives tale' them all coming through blue.

[Martin H]

I've found that sweet peas mostly come true from seed: save seed from a pink one and you'll get pink flowers next year. I always label one or two flowers of each variety before they set seed so I can be sure of collecting an even mix.

[bramble]

I save my seeds year after year and they all come in a variety of colours.

[Babru]

Thanks everyone, very interesting. It looks like my colleague accidentally saved seed only from blue flowers

[nick the grief]

Are you sowing Sweet Pea seeds now and over-wintering or do you sow them in the Spring? I’m told they grow stronger, flower earlier and with greater energy if sown now, nipped out, overwintered and talked to nicely over Christmas, is that correct?
Mine were ok again this year, endless supply (daily routine!) but I don’t think they thought much of some of the weather this Summer… I’ve taken them out now, they were getting tangled and mildewy. Some questions with next year in mind:

1. Do you save seeds (do they ‘explode’ to disseminate? Do they need a cold snap?)
2. Do you sow now/soon or in Spring?
3. My stems were very short this year, is that a result of overcrowding or species determined? Any solutions to that problem?
4. Do you prune off the tendrils?
5. The heady perfumes of yesteryear seem to be a thing of the past (though my younger brother who works with the elderly insists it’s my nose that’s at fault rather than the Sweet Peas….). Any recommendations?

Thank you…. bb.

in order ...

1. you can save your own seed just like ordinary peas or Lupins. Let the pods go dry and brown and save them to a paper bag. No need to vernalise them but you can keep them in the fridge if you want sow them in the autumn or you can save them in the freezer for years
2. I'm going to sow mine this weekend If I get chance
3. Sweet Peas are a hungry plant so dont over crowd them too much and make sure they are well watered - tht will shorten them
4. You can trim the tendrils if you are growing on the cordon system but then you'll have to tie them up - great for showing but a bit OTT if you just want them for the hoos and a smelly bunch to get on your partners good side.

Perfume - depends on variety - I wouldn't bother with things like suttons seed mixes - get them from Roger Parsons he's a specialist but you can get his scented mix for about 6.50 for 50 or you can grow seperate varieties if you want to save named ones. I'm growing these this year hopefully. scent is 1-6 ( 6 being the strongest)

Albutt Blue - Blue would you guess Scent 6
Emily - Pink scent 5
Heaven Scent - salmon pink Scent 4
Cathy - Cream scent 5
Matucana - Maroon/Violet Scent 6
and I've a packet of his old fashioned mixed to try too

ntg

[mrbadexample]

My first time with sweet peas so I just need to check I'm doing it right. I soaked the seeds overnight and have sown them in toilet roll inners. Do they need heat to germinate or are they ok on the windowsill?