Sweet Pea Germination

[chris]

Thanks AP - I'll have a sniff of some next time Isee them

[rustylady]

Don't bother nicking mine. Just soak overnight in tepid water and then sow them.

[Kristen]

I grow them just as a cut flower. We "pick" twice a week, and thus have a few vases in the house throughout the summer.

[Ouya Mellsa]

I've never soaked them and find there really is no need.

[piskieinboots]

I just shoved mine in damp compost in root trainers and left them in the conservatory for a few days to germinate.

Same here - only I use my greenhouse cos I'm not posh and don't have a conservatory They never fail - I have never scored nor soaked them.

[Florian]

Thanks for the pinching out tip, folks. I am growing them for the first time this year

[Ouya Mellsa]

They are lovely, but I have one major problem with them. The fiddly tying in of the young stems drives me mad!

It really puts me off!

[Nicos]

Do they attract bees or something? They seem very popular? Forgive my bluntness, but are they just flowers? (flower newbie!) Or do they have some other use?

They are a perfect gift when you just know your OH is going to be cross with you about something!!!

[Nicos]

See- works a treat...just remember to shake out any insects first!!!

[Kristen]

The fiddly tying in of the young stems drives me mad!

It really puts me off!

I use a Max Tapener tying-gun - One-handed: click to load the tape, stretch the tape around the plant + stick, click again and its tied Sadly not cheap though (£40-ish) ...

The link is a video in Italian, couldn't find an English one, but I'm sure you'll get the idea

YouTube - atado perfecto sistema Rubangel

and this one shows the speed you can tie at:

YouTube - Sistema Rubangel amarrado o atado sarmiento / cargador en viñedos y parrales

I get my spares from JFC Monro (as their prices seemed good the last time I looked)

Max Tapener Tying Machine Tape Twine & Tree Care

[Ouya Mellsa]

Thanks, Kristen.

[Two_Sheds]

I have one major problem with them. The fiddly tying in of the young stems drives me mad!

I don't tie in (not much anyway, maybe when I first plant them out) - I grow them up 5cm netting, or even chickenwire, so they tie themselves in

[Kristen]

I've done that in the past, but I found it a pain removing them at the end of the season.

[doc]

Hey all
Am growing sweet pea for the first time too. When planting out into the garden can i just stick in a cane next to each plant and tie the plant to the cane as it grows? Or do i need something more elaborate?
Thanks

[Two_Sheds]

Peas have tendrils and won't twine round a cane like beans do - they need something finer to cling too. Something like chicken wire or 5cm netting is ideal