Tips for sweet pea success

[peachmonster]

My sweet peas have started to germinate only 1week since sowing! I was expecting to have to wait another couple of weeks to see much sign of life, but I think it's the heated propagator that's made the difference!

I've seen a few posts from people who have been struggling to get them to germinate, so I though I would just let you know what I've done to get success this year.

As always, I soaked the seeds in water overnight before sowing. I also brought pots of compost inside the day before to warm up a bit. The next day I drained the seeds, watered the compost and then sowed the seeds at the recommended half inch depth. This year I got a simple (I. E. A non thermostatically controlled )heated prop for Christmas, so I put the pots in there. The prop is in the conservatory and over the last week the temp inside the prop has varied between about 15 and 21 degrees. About 70%of the seeds have germinated within a week!

As they germinate (I've sown two to a pot), I'll take them out of the prop to grow on in the cool conservatory until they're looking strong enough to go outside, after hardening off.

Oh, btw I used peat free Mpc and a fresh packet of seeds.

Does anyone else have any fail safe tips for sweet peas?

[Martin H]

I have found that soaking works well for some varieties, while chipping the seed coat works better for others. Trial and error!

Like you, I've found that keeping them toasty speeds germination a lot.

[skeggijon]

To be honest I just stick them in a pot and hope for the best!

[ancee]

Me too actually! But that method applies to most of my gardening 'skills'!! Shove it in and hope it works, if it doesn't try something else. Haven't time to faff unfortunately or I'd be a good faffer!

[WendyC]

I experimented a couple of years ago with soaking and not soaking. I found whilst not soaking the seed meant it took 2-3 days longer to come through, overall I got a better germination rate. As with all peas, I water the compost when sowing and don't water again until germination. Otherwise I find rotting is s problem.

[skeggijon]

so far, out of 36 seeds sown, only 2 have failed to germinate.

[boatsman]

All mine in the garden are self sown.

[Small pumpkin]

Out of the 113 sown none have germinated yet. But they only went in last week. So I'm not panicking yet. But I did move 6 seeds into my heated propagator today.