Peas going downhill

[Marb67]

Well I have absolutely no idea why my initially healthy peas are starting to go a pale grey and colkapsing. It's another mystery as the seeds are new this year.

[ameno]

Some sort of root rot, most probably. Peas are very prone to it.
The usually recommendation is simply to play the numbers game: plant lots and lots of them, such that even if some die you still have plenty left. I sow around 60 seeds for a 2 metre row.

Although if the upper leaves are similarly grey then it could also just be sun scorch. Peas don't like excessive heat, so if you have those seedlings in a greenhouse or similar in this weather then they are likely to get scorched.

I will say that most of those pea plants do look rather large to still be in pots, though. Peas are best planted out small, around 3 inches tall.

[Marb67]

Well it can't be root rot as they haven't been over watered. They have been in the potting shed which gets very warm but not directs sun. I can't put them outside as the sparrows will ravage them that young.

[ameno]

Well it can't be root rot as they haven't been over watered. .

That means nothing. Peas will catch root rots at the drop of a hat, regardless of whether the soil is wet, dry or anything in between. I always lose about 10% of my plants to them every year.

And if you're worried about sparrows then just net the plants. That's what I do to keep sparrows off. You can even leave the net on for the entire growing period if you like, as pea flowers are self-setting and do not require insect pollination.