peas and pinching out the main stem

[blackcatlois]

I've grown peas a fair few times now but have never pinched out the top few cm of the main stem to allow side shoots to form, even though I've read about this practice in various magazines. I've always been a bit nervous about doing it in case the new side shoots don't form and the pea just stops growing! Does everybody else do this as a matter of routine - have I been growing them wrong all along? Can it be done with all varieties? Thanks for your help and ideas.

[Two_Sheds]

Pinch out the tops of peas and beans when they reach the top of their support (in my case, when about 5ft high, cos that's what I am).

Sweet peas: pinch them out at 4" high, to encourage side shoots

[blackcatlois]

Thanks - and when I pinch the top out, will side shoots form down the length of the plant?

[cupcake]

I have always pinched out sweet pea plants after 3 sets of leaves, I have donr this with my mangetout pea plants, I'll let you know how I go on.

[colser]

my peas always get devoured by slugs and snails before the get past the 1st couple of leaves so i wouldn't know

[Alison]

Funnily enough was thinking about this earlier today. I have some very nice and bushy sweet pea plants which have been pinched out as always which are currently sat next to some peas ready to be planted out. Have never pinched out peas but wondered what would happen if I did, may try a few and see.

[RobintheBobin]

Morning! I pinched out my sweet peas this year when they were only about 3" tall and they have bushed out fabulously - FAR better than when I left them 'til they were 6" or so tall (by then they seem to be too spindly even when they do bush). I suppose the same must happen with peas but I've always left them to climb their supports first.

[gojiberry]

Have never pinched out eating peas only sweet peas, but then I tend to over plant peas so don't have a problem with crop size. I usually but my peas by the pint or half pint which gives you litterally hundreds of peas and when sowing I plant a double row and space the peas 1" apart. Works for me, just planted out the second row this morning and will plant the gutters up again today for a third row.

Ian

[Yuccaman]

Pinching things out

Hi all

I'm relatively new to all this, having dabbled for a few years and gone and got myself a greenhouse last year

Now, the allotment side of my gardening is going swimmingly, and I managed to grow some nice bedding plants last year too...but...

Some of my seeds, Marigold Bojangles and Cosmos Double-Click in particular went really leggy.

So...I have an awareness that I should have perhaps pinched the top of them out, and also that too much (or little ) light may have contributed...so...

A) I have planted various trays which are under propogator lids in my conservatory...do I need to do anything to regulate light to them once they have germinated? At what point should I remove the lids and when should they go walkies down the garden to my greenhouse?

B) At what stage should I (if necessary) pinch the growing point out?

For reference, I've planted...

1) F2 Petunias
2) Double Petunias
3) Marigold Bojangles
4) Sweet Peas
5) Sunflowers
6) Mesembyanthemums
7) Cosmos Double Click
8) Trailing Lobelia
9) Nasturtiums
10) Aster Starlight


Thank you lots and lots in advance

[MrsC]

Hi Yuccaman

From the list above and the ones I have grown, re - pinching out, you've asked for a lot of info in one post (not knocking it or anything, just I need to concentrate on 1 thing at a time lol) Pinch out sweet peas (I usually do this about 3/4" tall, never pinched out Cosmos, Nasturtiums, Lobelia or Sunflowers. Grown Petunia from seed and just dead head them, never pinched them out. Can't comment on the others as never grown them from seed. Hope this helps

[zazen999]

Another for sweet peas only....never pinched the others out and those we have grown always flower.

[pumpkin cuddler]

Peas and beans

Hello

I was wondering??

When we grow sweet peas we nip off the top when they get to a certain height to promote more shots to come from the bottom. Does this work the same for peas and beans?

If so what is the suggested height to do this?

Thanks

[zazen999]

Just merged a few threads on this, have a look and see if they help.

[girl47]

As a real beginner - what exactly is 'pinching out' & how do I do it.....I planted out my pea plants last weekend - they were about 4" high. I grew them in loo roll tubes.
I have watered them in & put a plastic cloche over them - is this ok?

[piskieinboots]

'pinching out' is the term for snipping (usually with your fingers, hence 'pinch') out the growing tip - this will encourage side shoots to develop thus giving you more sweet peas per square inch - as it were