[Rexmundi]

I planted my sweet peas in little pots last weekend. I don't have a greenhouse but have them in the back garden under some clear plastic buckets - which I thought may act as a cloche? Temperatures where I am in West Lothian were very cold at night, Mon & Tues (-4 & -3). Can anyone advise if these will germinate or do you advise bring them indoor to a window sill?
Cheers

[Paul Plots]

I planted my sweet peas in little pots last weekend. I don't have a greenhouse but have them in the back garden under some clear plastic buckets - which I thought may act as a cloche? Temperatures where I am in West Lothian were very cold at night, Mon & Tues (-4 & -3). Can anyone advise if these will germinate or do you advise bring them indoor to a window sill?
Cheers

They may well germinate but you need to avoid having them too wet or they will rot in colder temperatures. If you have room indoors I would bring them in to get them started off.

I'm going to wait a while and then put mine firstly in the conservatory and then, once they are through, into a tiny glass unheated lean-to-greenhouse which catches the sun. Warmth works best.

After that they will go out during the day and back in at night until eventually they will stay out.

(Great plans - just keeping fingers crossed for good results).

[Montalbano06]

I've seen sweet pea seeds germinatd by putting a loo roll inside a straight glass, and wedging about 4 seeds between the loo roll and the glass. some water was in the bottom of the glass which is soaked up by the loo roll and keeps the seeds moist. Seeds were soaked overnight first.  It worked a treat.

[Sweetpea C]

Loo rolls and paper pots for me, I am somewhat overrun with them because the sweetpea is my personal seed addiction. Among others I am trying giant navy blue this year - fingers crossed. I have cuprani (saved) which I planted last October, pinched out a couple of times. They are lovely and bushy in the cold frame now. I have to say, they look healthier than the ones in the garden centre yesterday  the others I have planted come in January, some in February - Just need some more trellis or pots! 

[Paul Plots]

Autumn or Spring sowing?

There seem to be as many ideas and preferences here as there are on what to germinate them in.

I've tried both - results fine either way although late spring sown seem to last longer than those sown in Autumn.

They are very pretty things but, as my father says, "you can't eat them" 

[Rexmundi]

Can you grow sweet peas in pots/tubs and troughs?

The reason I'm asking as I know they are a deep rooting plant.

I wonder if you can have them in pots on a patio climbing up a trellis?

Thanks

[mumofstig]

Yes you can  Big pots/tubs though and water/feed often 

[Paul Plots]

Definitely need to keep them watered but not water-logged. Pick flowers frequently.
Works pretty well.

[Stree]

I did an early September indoor sowing in an unheated greenhouse a couple of years ago, 2 seeds per 6" newspaper roll, planted out in February and first blooms by May 1st.
Done February sowings since then, same this year. Maybe this autumn I will sow again.
I have tried both newspaper and toilet rolls and by the time they are ready to plant out both types are just about falling apart and very difficult to handle, plus the roots get out of the bottom and intertwine and have to be gently prised apart with some damage inevitable.
Root trainer are way too expensive, But I wanted an alternative.
What I have used the last two years is paint mixing cups. these are for commercial paint sprayers, made from thin waxed cardboard and 6.5" high and just over 3" wide.
I punch a hole in the bottom for drainage and then stand them  in seed trays.
These work really well. Admittedly they have to be removed from the cups for planting but the wax sides make this easy. And they are reusable.
These are about £6 for 50 cups in a pack.

[Sweetpea C]

[quote author=Stree
What I have used the last two years is paint mixing cups. these are for commercial paint sprayers, made from thin waxed cardboard and 6.5" high and just over 3" wide.
I punch a hole in the bottom for drainage and then stand them  in seed trays.
These work really well. Admittedly they have to be removed from the cups for planting but the wax sides make this easy. And they are reusable.
These are about £6 for 50 cups in a pack.

[/quote]

So, would those dreadful throwaway coffe cups everyone uses at work have the same effect? I think I might be raiding the bins if they are?!

[devonbarmygardener]

Don't see why not Caroline.

I can pick up 100 plastic cups for about 65p at a local cheap store.

Punch a hole in the bottom - a lot cheaper than flower pots!

[LilacSandy]

That's what I use for everything, onions, garlic, peppers, tomatoes etc., I then move the ones on that I need to keep frost free into plastic pint pots that I get from the local cheap store as they have a lovely long root run.

[mumofstig]

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=102337.msg1143824#msg1143824

empty milk bottles are cheaper still