[Eblana]

Hi All,

I have gotten a huge harvest of sweetpea (although a bit on the late side this year).  However I have noticed that the stems are very short (about 2 inchs long).  Would anyone have any idea why they are so short.  This is my first year growing these on the plot and I am growing them up wire mesh around the parimeter fencing of my allotment which is about 4 foot high (I now know that next year I will need a higher support for them as they are now slumping over).  I am not sure what variety they are (free seed that came with Gardeners World magazine). 

Any suggestions?

[mumofstig]

Some varieties have shorter stems than others - it's as simple as that 

[Eblana]

Thanks I kinda suspected that was the problem.  I was at Tatton Park flower show last month and I bought some really lovely Sweet Pea seed so hopefully next year I should have really long stems which will look really nice in a vase.

There are an awful lot of tenderels on my Sweet Peas should I be cutting some of these off?

[mumofstig]

they are cut off of the stems for exhibition, otherwise I wouldn't bother 

[Eblana]

Thanks will leave them alone then - will save me a lot of time and effort

[tosca100]

Though our's started with long stems, as the season has gone on they have shortened, and the plants are very unhealthy with mildew. They are still producing loads of lovely flowers though, and I just take some of the stem the stem is connected to (make sense?) so they are long enough to go into a short vase.

Haven't had any aphids this year though.

[Kleftiwallah]

If you want long stems or exhibish blooms plant this autumn and overwinter.  Plant out next spring and select a side shoot (don't use the main stem)  remove all others and keep removing them along with the tendrills. 

Secure your plant to a string or wire removing side shoots as they appear.  When the plant has reached to top of the string, undo all securing wires, lay along the ground and then send the shoot up a convenient string.

Easy peasy. 

Cheers,     Tony.

[sunshineband]

You also need to feed them -- I use tomato fertiliser - and make sure they have enough water.

I know it has been wet but they have a large overall leaf area and as climbers lose water in windy weather too.

It'll help keep blooms with longer stems coming