Wedding Day Sweet Peas

[Playinginthemud]

Does anybody know of any ways to force sweet pea flower buds to open?
Due to the current temperatures we may not have enough open flowers for my son's wedding next weekend. We have tried cutting them and leaving them in a warm room, but this does not seem to work.
Any tips would be appreciated!

[Sweepster]

Sorry I can't help on the forcing thing, but if you're on freecycle it might be worth putting out a request for extra flowers, since a lot of people grow them.

Mine are covered in aphids. Boo.

[seasprout]

Does anybody know of any ways to force sweet pea flower buds to open?
Due to the current temperatures we may not have enough open flowers for my son's wedding next weekend. We have tried cutting them and leaving them in a warm room, but this does not seem to work.
Any tips would be appreciated!

Sweep pea flowers once opened only last a few days, the idea is to keep picking to ensure a continuous supply, if you pick flowers now they will be well over by next weekend, its next Thursdays flowers you need really I think.

Growers who sell flowers tend to grow under cover in polytunnels in order to manipulate the flowering times and protect the plants.

All I can suggest is you cover the plants with fleece every evening and uncover every morning in order to afford a little protection.

And good luck.

[jackie j]

Sweet peas need to be picked on the day or at least the night before. Put into your profile where you are it might help.

[kirsty b]

I grew sweet peas for my own wedding, and luckily managed to keep them flowering. I agree with the others though, pick them the day before, any sooner and they'll be past their best.

If you get desperate, Waitrose sell cut sweet peas, but can't remember offhand how much they were - I was going to buy them there if I had to.

Whereabouts are you? I have a number for a flower wholesaler, but I'm in Suffolk and it won't be cost effective if you have to travel too far.

[Playinginthemud]

Thank you to all who replied. Luckily the weather in Shropshire has been warmer this week and we have ended up with plenty of flowers that will be ready for Sunday.

[seasprout]

The Scent will be lovely, good luck and hope it all goes well.

[Waffler]

Hope you had plenty of flowers. I grew sweet peas for my wedding and distinctly remember going out to pick them on the morning of the wedding (after arriving at Tescos doorstep at 7am because I didn't think we had enough fruit juice!) Ah - fond memories!