Sweet Pea Problems

[Valleyman]

So this is my first year of growing Sweet Peas and I fear I am an idiot, or doing something fundamentally wrong... As this is my first year I decided to try a whole bunch of methods I've read about to see what suits me. Things I tried:

1) Tried three varieties. 1 dwarf, 1 'everlasting' and a normal. The everlasting were gathered from the mother in laws garden (could they be an infertile hybrid?).
2) Soaking some for 24 hours, soaking some for just a couple of hours, chipping some of them and just sticking others straight in the pot.
3) I have tried four ways to germinate. Seed trays in kitchen (around 10-15C), seed tray in lounge (10-20C), in a heated propagator (20C) and between two layers of damp kitchen roll.
4) All this was carried out 2.5 weeks ago, so within standard germination time as i understand it.

The results? Nothing for any of them grown in trays, and the ones between sheets of kitchen paper have gone moldy.

What am i doing wrong? Should I just wait and see...as germination can actually take longer? Is the propagator too warm, and the kitchen too cold? Could they be too wet, or too dry? I feel like I've tried a selection of methods and with nothing working I feel i've missed something important. All my early sown tomatoes, chillis etc i did at the same time are looking lovely...

Am I to remain pea-less forever?
What is your fool proof tactic?

[Travellers]

May I suggest you google Roger Parsons Sweet Peas, then go to his link how to ģrow.

[Bigmallly]

Hi Valleyman, when you soaked them did you notice if they floated or sank. Only the ones that sink are viable. I really don't know where you are going wrong as you have tried every method known to man with the exception of one..........get a zip lock bag, place some "moist" compost in with some seeds, place in a warm place & hopefully they should germinate within a week...........keep trying & good luck.

[WendyC]

I use this technique for sweet peas and peas. Firstly there is no need to soak, I did a comparison a couple of years ago and got a better germination rate without soaking. Sow and water but don't water again until the seeds have germinated. I find the biggest reason for failure is rotting.

[Martin H]

I get best germination in the warmest spot I can find. I used to balance them above a radiator, but I don't have any in this house. My most recent batch were sown in mid January and kept in a warm study (about 23c). I chipped them first and they showed in 6 days. They are now in my cold greenhouse, growing away slowly but steadily.

[Bigmallly]

Isn't it strange how some folk struggle with certain seeds, I'm sure we all have something we struggle with............sorry, as you were.

[ancee]

How long have they been sown for? What I mean is, I sowed mine over a month ago. Only one is showing herself so far. I was worrying as I've planted all sorts and not one shoot! But this little solo hero has given me hope!

[Knight of Albion]

So this is my first year of growing Sweet Peas and I fear I am an idiot, or doing something fundamentally wrong... As this is my first year I decided to try a whole bunch of methods I've read about to see what suits me. Things I tried:

1) Tried three varieties. 1 dwarf, 1 'everlasting' and a normal. The everlasting were gathered from the mother in laws garden (could they be an infertile hybrid?).
2) Soaking some for 24 hours, soaking some for just a couple of hours, chipping some of them and just sticking others straight in the pot.
3) I have tried four ways to germinate. Seed trays in kitchen (around 10-15C), seed tray in lounge (10-20C), in a heated propagator (20C) and between two layers of damp kitchen roll.
4) All this was carried out 2.5 weeks ago, so within standard germination time as i understand it.

The results? Nothing for any of them grown in trays, and the ones between sheets of kitchen paper have gone moldy.

What am i doing wrong? Should I just wait and see...as germination can actually take longer? Is the propagator too warm, and the kitchen too cold? Could they be too wet, or too dry? I feel like I've tried a selection of methods and with nothing working I feel i've missed something important. All my early sown tomatoes, chillis etc i did at the same time are looking lovely...

Am I to remain pea-less forever?
What is your fool proof tactic?

The first year I grew sweet peas I had ONE bloom! I didn't bother the following year.
Then I tried again and haven't looked back. 3,000 blooms last year.

I'm no 'expert' either. Once you've cracked it, Mother Nature takes over.

Sometimes it's no bad thing to fail. That's how you learn.

Not to give up, that's the thing.




.

[veggiechicken]

What's your secret, KofA? Please share

[Valleyman]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'll just keep on trying until it works. Not throwing those I've done already away. just in case. Our "new" (i.e very old) cold house is my one big variable compared to other years... it really is like starting over.

[Scarlet]

Top of the fridge is a warm spot!

[Knight of Albion]

What's your secret, KofA? Please share

Harry Wheatcroft famously said "He who would grow good roses, must have roses in his heart" and I think that is the secret.

[Bren In Pots]

I use this technique for sweet peas and peas. Firstly there is no need to soak, I did a comparison a couple of years ago and got a better germination rate without soaking. Sow and water but don't water again until the seeds have germinated. I find the biggest reason for failure is rotting.

Wendy that's what I do now after reading on here that biggest failure of peas and beans is due to overwatering.

[Kristen]

Firstly there is no need to soak, I did a comparison a couple of years ago and got a better germination rate without soaking.

Whilst I agree with you I think soaking is a better approach for newbies. Sweet pea seed has a hard coat, so if just sown direct (e.g. in a pot of compost) the water content has to be right. That's easy for an old hand like me, but I think for a newbie soaking the seed means that it expands and the germination process starts and then the moisture content of the compost thereafter is much less critical (over watering will still rot the seed of course)

the ones between sheets of kitchen paper have gone moldy.

The paper was too wet, and not enough air. You need to provide humidity, more than wetness. There must definitely no be any water that would "run off" the paper, indeed squeezing it out in your first is no bad thing, and the paper over the top "lightly draped" rather than deliberately touching the seeds - that allows plenty of, humid, air around the seed. Make sure the container is sealed (or covered with cling film) to prevent the paper drying out - an open container that cycles between wet & dry is not good for the seed.

Our "new" (i.e very old) cold house is my one big variable compared to other years...

Put them somewhere warmer - airing cupboard or boiler room (I've not used top-of-fridge, that sounds good too but mine would be hard to see / get to!). I've used top-of-microwave which seems to get nice and warm when used, not much use unless used frequently though.

If they are in airing cupboard / somewhere dark then check twice a day and move to light the moment you see any shoots appearing. Even 12 hours too long in the dark will make seedlings long, leggy, and weak

[Bigmallly]

Harry Wheatcroft famously said "He who would grow good roses, must have roses in his heart" and I think that is the secret.

That's a cop out..............................c'mon, share..............