Nasturtiums and Sweet Peas growing like stink but no flowers

[SaraJH]

Does anyone else have this problem?

My nasturtiums grown from seed in a container in MPC look like triffids but no flowers at all, likewise my little plug plant sweet peas bought from the garden centre last weekend in May are growing but without any flowers.

Should I have done something with them to encourage flowering?

Thanks.

[happyhumph]

Not sure about sweet peas but with nasturtiums if you treat them nicely - rich soil, plenty of moisture you get lots of leaves but fewer flowers but if you're a bit mean - poorer soil, not to much water (don't let them die though, obviously) you get more flowers - plants think they'd better get on with reproducing si flower...

[Chris11]

I always keep a patch of Nasturtiums. They're great companion plants, good for pollinators, and will grow on poor soil, so can even be thought of as 'green manure' plants.

If they're well fed, or grown in good soil or compost, I would expect more big leaves and less flowers.

I initially started my Nasturtium patch underneath where previous owners had planted Leylandii, and they thrived. The Leylandii are now gone, and the Nasturtiums are playing their part in improving the soil in that area. And each year the Nasturtiums self-seed and come back strong.

[Jungle Jane]

One of my nasturtiums has only just recently produced a flower bud,I only noticed it because I was checking under the leaves for cabbage white butterfly eggs (they've chosen my Brussels sprouts & brocolli instead though).

[Knight of Albion]

The weather this 'summer' has not been advantageous to flower growth, many flowers are some weeks behind schedule, but don't worry, they'll come good eventually.
Maybe some Phostrogen will spur them on a bit?

Love both sweet peas (the wonderful combination of colour and scent ...) and nasturtiums (re the latter, is there a more underrated flower? Easy to grow, versatile, low maintenance, lovely foliage and, once they get going, an abundance of flowers)!

[SusieG]

Interesting!
As my nasturtiums grown from seed are producing masses of foliage - and not a single flower ...... Mine are growing in good soil in SFG beds, along with cosmos and cornflower - also not flowering..........!

[Martin H]

Patience, give them time, they will get there soon.

Re nasturtiums in rich soil: I've found that they still produce plenty of flowers, it's just that they have a tendency to be somewhat hidden underneath the lush, juicy foliage.

[boatsman]

My nasturtiums produced flowers but no seeds afterwards.

[bearded bloke]

Yep as Martin says ... give them time, the display stands were down about 20% at the sweet peas show this weekend, one of the commitee said she was surprised how many entries there were given the appalling growing weather so far this year, personally I set 150 seeds & as of last evening I have only 2 blooms open

[SaraJH]

Thanks all,

In the nicest possible way I'm glad that I'm not alone!

I'll give them some more time, I just want to see some colour in the garden!!

[SusieG]

Yes, ditto Sara - guess we'll just have to be a bit more patient...!!

[Knight of Albion]

Global warming? We had a mild winter, we're having a quirky summer ... swings and roundabouts.
If we get an 'Indian Summer', it'll extend everyone's flowering season.
In life and gardening, things do tend to even themselves out over time.

[SusieG]

You are most certainly right, KoA......

And no matter what we think should be happening ..... will happen when it's ready to .....

(oooooh, look at me getting all philosophical....! )

[SusieG]

As if by magic ~ a nasturtium flower has opened today, a gorgeous bright red...

AND a bud has appeared on one of the cosmos...!!!

Amazing what a day of sunshine can do.....!!!!!

[skeggijon]

My sweet peas are rubbish this year. Plants are only about 5 inches high, so no sign of flower buds yet, but nasturtiums are everywhere and flowering like mad - We're eating as many as possible, but I have to keep cutting them back and putting in the compost bin - all self seeded from last year.