Germinating peas

[ghp]

I sowed Sugar Snap Delikett peas in my greenhouse on the 12th March, and none of them has germinated yet. They're in loo roll tubes with a teabag at the bottom, two to a tube.

Should I be panicking? I sowed a few more today (more loo rolls available!) and soaked the peas for an hour first in case this would help.

I'm in Scotland - it's been mighty chilly!

[jeannine]

That sounds like a long time to me, but then here in Essex it hasn't been too cold and my peas germinated within a few days. I always soak them first which may speed things up. Yours may well still come through - I thought the parsnips I planted were a no go as it was old seed but now, weeks later, they've come up a treat!

What about keeping the ones you've just planted inside until they've germinated and then putting them in your greenhouse? Then you'll know they are doing ok and haven't been eaten by anything or suffered from damping off.

[ghp]

That's a good idea, Jeannine, thanks. They won't mind the warmth of the house, though?

[Paulottie]

It is surprisingly easy to rot peas by overwatering in loo roll tubes- but a nice cup of tea should have get them up eh!...works for me! I still rate the gutter meathod.(outlined in other threads) It has been cold, so It is possible they'll show yet. But if you need the space then empty one out and see.

You can chit peas to save compost and tubes- which are then useless if they do rot. soak them overnight then spread them on damp newspaper and cover with cotton wool or kitchen towel and place in a plastic bag. You need to check them regularly and as soon as they show a radicle pop em in your tubes.

If above ideas not for you...They they shouldn't mind the warmth to germinate but are a cool season crop so soon as they show bring them on in the glasshouse.

[ghp]

Thanks Paulottie - I think I'll bite the bullet (or the pea!) and empty one out today for a look. I tried not to overwater, letting them take up their own amount from below, but the tubes look pretty wet to me.

Still very cold here so I'll bring the newer soaked ones in and start to chit a fresh batch.

[Cutecumber]

I suspect they've rotted because of too much water.

If you keep the tubes out of direct sunlight there's no need to water them except at the initial sowing. If the seeds haven't germinated the water isn't going anywhere except into the cardboard and compost.

I wouldn't even soak the seeds - this might help if they're going into warm dry soil, but you're just adding to the likelihood of rot.

[ghp]

Good news! I've just very carefully poked out some of the compost at the top of one of the tubes and lo and behold, a little yellowy curly shoot of pea was lurking there.

I'm now going to have to be very careful about watering, Cutecumber - thanks for the advice. No more water, even from the bottom, until the shoots appear?

[Cutecumber]

No, there's rarely any need.

Water once after sowing, then leave them. Unless you can feel that the compost is very dry down around the seed - which will only occur if it is really warm and dry - leave them alone. Try and wait until they break the surface. Cardboard tubes can dry out, but if they are close together and in a plastic container they will do the opposite and get very soggy and mouldy.

If you have to water again before the shoots appear, don't go mad and do allow the tubes to drain.

Also, make sure that you don't compact the compost in the tube too much. It's very tempting to shove as much in as you can - I know, I've done it! A light shake and tamping down, together with the watering, will be enough.

Anyway, glad they're still alive!

[ghp]

Me too - don't know how long it would have taken to collect more loo roll tubes

Thanks Jeannine, Paulottie and Cutecucumber for your advice.