Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Growing => General Gardening => Topic started by: DIGGER on October 13, 2008, 13:42
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I usually put my sweet pea seeds in toilet rolls end of Feb . Now I know a lot of people start of about now.
I thought I would give it a go and see how they developed.
Well I put them in toilet rolls last week and allready the heads a poking through.
They are in an unheated greenhouse.
I have visions of them being 6ft high by spring. Should i just leave them.
I use them up a fence in the garden and to mingle with runner beans on lotte,so they have a long wait to be used at the lotte.
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In toilet rolls??
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In toilet rolls??
Yes I always grow sweet peas and garden peas in toilet rolls,and then plan them direct in the ground.
Regret not my idea I think quite a few do it.
Put them in a little box and fill with compost. Saves on compost and the carboard biogrades [not the right word] in the ground
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Oh DIGGER, you do mean when the papers all been used don't you :?: :lol: :lol: :lol: Mrs Bouquet
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Oh!! Now I get you!
I use newspaper pots that I make (I think it was Richyrich that showed us all how).
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Oh ,you two are just teasing me arn t you.If you dont behave i will start another silly thread.
But what about my sweet peas
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It's a long time until spring for growing sweet peas to wait. Not sure how many will survive due to your own particular winter weather. Even in a greenhouse they can get too cold. You can always try and see what happens but if you find you're losing them by the new year, then start reseeding.
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OK, seriously, they probably shot away because of the hot weather. Keep the tops pinched right out, when they grow a bit more, that'll make them nice a bushy. I think I would review them again say March/April, if you don't think they will work, you've still got time to plant a few more.
The ones you've already done, will slow down when it gets cooler and darker, brrrrr. Mrs Bouquet
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Hi Digger, I put mine in in January this year and was pretty pleased with the results. The chap with a plot next-door to mine put his in the previous October though and his were absolutely stunning and the earliest flowering sweet peas I saw around. They were also still flowering up until about a week ago even though he hasn't been picking them for ages. I'm planning on putting mine in soon in root trainers - the posh equivalent of loo rolls! :wink:
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Sorry, just realised that doesn't really answer your question :oops: I will ask this chap if he had any trouble with 'run away' plants and if he pinched them out and where he over-wintered them.
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Thanks everyone,as i said it is only an experiment,every thing seems to work for Carol Klein and her mates.
I will keep my eye on them and whatever happens i will start some more in Feb.
I always get a bit fed up from December to Feb so i am looking to keep an interest going.
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I put mine in my unheated gh two weeks ago and they are already about 4 inches high! Its the first time Ive done this with SP, so Im a bit worried they wont last. I started them at this time because they did nowt last year in Spring
I didnt know you could pinch out the tops so will do that, and hopefully Ill have some gorgeous smelling flowers for the house next year..as I cant bear to cut my lilies when they are flowering :oops:
Paula
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Mine went in yesterday in the heated propagator 3 per 7.5cm pot as the thompson and morgan instructions stated :D !
(http://[img]http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/qq100/garddwr/IMG_2145.jpg)[/IMG]
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I've tried early sowings of sweetpeas (December) & found that they run away too much. Even with pinching out they were over a foot long, spindly, flopping all over the place, before the final frosts.
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Mine went in yesterday in the heated propagator 3 per 7.5cm pot as the thompson and morgan instructions stated :D !
(http://[img]http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/qq100/garddwr/IMG_2145.jpg)[/IMG]
I think you might end up with pretty trees
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I've tried early sowings of sweetpeas (December) & found that they run away too much. Even with pinching out they were over a foot long, spindly, flopping all over the place, before the final frosts.
Id lay bets mine will be like that :cry:
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Mine went in yesterday in the heated propagator 3 per 7.5cm pot as the thompson and morgan instructions stated :D !
(http://[img]http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/qq100/garddwr/IMG_2145.jpg)[/IMG]
I think you might end up with pretty trees
Thanks digger I hope I do. What is this about pinching them out ? Which leaves should you pinch ?
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Pinching out refers to pinching the top off the growing stem. This forces the plant to send out side shoots, hence it getting bushier and not so tall. You can pinch out those side shoots if you later choose, and so on.
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Wooo they are an inch high now,at what point should i pinch the tops of.
Triffids by spring.
Hows others doing
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sow em and cover the pots with an old lemonade bottle in the greenhouse dont water until the top of the soil is crispy or on warm days if ya over water they wil rot off ... :wink: pich em of wqhen there is 3 stes of leaves with a noticable growing point from the stem :wink:
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:) i set some peas of last autum and in toilet inner's ,i nipped the tops out after the fourth leaf and this year had a splended display,make sure you keep them moist through the winter period,
only problem i had was when i came to take the toilet inner's from out of the seed tray in the spring, that they had been in all winter,all the roots had covered the full base of the tray so it was difficult to part them.
you can also use rain gutter for starting broad beans or peas: :wink:
ray
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Mine went in yesterday in the heated propagator 3 per 7.5cm pot as the thompson and morgan instructions stated :D !
(http://[img]http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/qq100/garddwr/IMG_2145.jpg)[/IMG]
They must be hitting there heads on the top now.
How about an updated photo.
Mine are about 2 1/2" high ,have just pinched out.
Not that bothered if they fail ,its just an interest now
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yes sure DIGGER . It would be nice if you could update too ?
Here they are :
(http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/qq100/garddwr/IMG_2169.jpg)
(http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/qq100/garddwr/IMG_2170.jpg)
They haven't all germinated yet,I took them out of the propagator a few days ago and moved them to the window as they wern't getting enough light.
When should they all be pinched out ?
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Have taken photo but no idea how to get it on here.
Will have to wait for the most patient of my kids to show me
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(http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr83/ivyweb/P1000193.jpg)
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The above sweet peas and toilet roll inners was posted on here by Digger following an extensive and very cheap course by the GARDDWR SCHOOL of computers.
I had private tuition :wink:
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The above sweet peas and toilet roll inners was posted on here by Digger following an extensive and very cheap course by the GARDDWR SCHOOL of computers.
I had private tuition :wink:
Oh yes and that goes to any one else who wants a step by step on how tp upload pics ! :wink:
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The above sweet peas and toilet roll inners was posted on here by Digger following an extensive and very cheap course by the GARDDWR SCHOOL of computers.
I had private tuition :wink:
Oh yes and that goes to any one else who wants a step by step on how tp upload pics ! :wink:
The step by step guide is posted already on the forums here...
http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=19476
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no DD I made one myself.
If I'm not breaking any rules :lol:
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They haven't all germinated yet,I took them out of the propagator a few days ago and moved them to the window as they wern't getting enough light.
When should they all be pinched out ?
I don't like to say this, but they are looking very drawn & leggy. Perhaps you left them in the propagator too long. They should come out as soon as they germinate.
I don't know how you're going to keep them inside from October until the last frost is past!
If I were you I'd stick some aluminium foil behind the plants to reflect the light.
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They haven't all germinated yet,I took them out of the propagator a few days ago and moved them to the window as they wern't getting enough light.
When should they all be pinched out ?
I don't like to say this, but they are looking very drawn & leggy. Perhaps you left them in the propagator too long. They should come out as soon as they germinate.
I don't know how you're going to keep them inside from October until the last frost is past!
If I were you I'd stick some aluminium foil behind the plants to reflect the light.
ok thanks.
will they survive ?
Should I put the foil in the back so light will come in through the window?
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actually in DIGGER'S picture the sweet peas are seperate should I leave mine three to a 3 inch pot or transplant into toilet roll tubes ?
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I have a similar problem. Planted 3 per 3" pot and they have grown much more than anticipated, even have tendrils (sp?) which I didn't expect. Was considering adding a stick or two so they at least have support but wouldn't think they will grow much more now until spring. Good to experiment though, will learn for next year!
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Should I put the foil in the back so light will come in through the window?
Yes, the light will come through the window & also be reflected back. That way you almost double the amount of light.
I still fear that you've started way too soon & way too warm.
(You may have guessed that I'm not a fan of propagators and have never found the need for more than a plastic bag!).
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actually in DIGGER'S picture the sweet peas are seperate should I leave mine three to a 3 inch pot or transplant into toilet roll tubes ?
To be honest, I don't think they're strong enough to survive that sort of handling.
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I sowed sweet peas in fibre tubes indoors 2 weeks ago, but I think they're not going to survive. Four of the eighteen have germinated (it was pretty old seed), are about 5 inches tall and developing the first set of leaves, but all of the fibre tubes have mould growing on the outside. Not sure what to do now - is it worth moving them to the plastic greenhouse, or shall I give up on them and start again in January?
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(http://i472.photobucket.com/albums/rr83/ivyweb/P1000193.jpg)
Growth seems to have stabilised now,so i will just take the centres out and asume they will spurt next year. Not sure about watering.
I suppose nature takes control.
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What do you mean by take the centres out Digger ?
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You pinch the top leaves out to make them bushy.
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what i have read , is that you stop them after the fourth leaf(pinch top out).
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I pinched out the leaves today
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them few plants look well digger,but i wouldn't let them dry out completely
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www.gardenaction.co.uk and enter sweet pea calender in the search.
Covers both Oct and spring sowings
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Once they are up and growing pinch to tops out and then put them somewhere cool. A frame is ideal but a sheltered corner of the garden is fine. The aim should be to just keep them alive until the Spring. They will stand a little frost. September/October sown sweet peas will be nearly in flower by the time beans are planted out so you will ned some later ones to pretty up your beansticks.
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You wont have any problem with your plants. I told you the best time to sow was october 10th. I have done this for years and never had a problem. If you think they are getting a bit leggy just nip out the growing tips that will slow them down and also make them stronger. The cold wont hurt them as it will be some time before you can put them out. Dont foget to dig a good trench with loads of manure ,they will need it. I have done it this way always and had 18inch stems with up to twelve blooms fully out so it is worth all the effort.
All the best mate
Cheers
Tony
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Just pinch out the growing tips and keep them cool
Tony
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R.I.P sweet peas
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ive tryed sweetpeas but they were very poor and stringy, whats the best soil to grow them in
chrissie b
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R.I.P sweet peas
oh dear - that's a shame. Time to start again I guess!
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ive tryed sweetpeas but they were very poor and stringy, whats the best soil to grow them in
chrissie b
Rich soil. They like it damp year-round, so dig in lots of manure or compost (head over to the veg section and search for "bean trench"). Don't over-feed them, or you'll get lots of sappy leaves and not many flowers, but keep them well watered through the summer. Partial shade (or shade at midday only if you can manage it) helps keep them cool and wet, and also stops the flowers fading in the sun (orange and scarlet seem the worst effected).
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My Dad has sown the sweetpeas in pots again this year - at 93 it's his way of keep our allotment going from the home-front. He put them in mid Jan and is now not too happy that nothing's showing.
After all the cold I'm wondering if they may have rotted.... :wub: normally he has a bench full of healthy looking seedlings by now.
"To sow again or not to sow?" that is the question. :unsure:
I think I ought to buy a couple more packets just in case ::)
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I did that and mine did the same. I have put more in & we'll wait & see!
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I did that and mine did the same. I have put more in & we'll wait & see!
How warm are you keeping your sown sweet-peas? :unsure:
I'm pretty sure it was the cold what done the others in! :(
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probably about 15 to 20 degrees as they are on the spare bedroom windowsill. Certainly not cold!
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i think the heat got to them it was well over 40 last year , i think i will put them i a more shaded place , frontof house gets alot of shade .
all the bags of stuff hear is pretty much the same
chrissie b
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Every year i tried with sweet peas and no luck, same with runner beans :(
Managed to grow the basket sweet peas in the pots on the covered terrace that was the best i could manage. As they don't climb i imagine they needed less water :)
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Once the sweet-peas are germinated I don't have any trouble with them. Mine usually have their feet in a bit of shade and grow on the end of my shed which is in full sun most of the day. Keeping the soil coolish and moist seems to work once they are established in the ground.
I usually have a row of something or other growing in front of the sweet-peas so this shades the roots a little. ;)
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I have been growing my first batch of sweet peas (planted deeply in toilet rolls with a mixture of compost and perlite); in my cold mini greenhouse. They were planted up late October; have survived our fairly cold winter with all the snows and ice; and I have pinched out the tops twice. Yesterday I took them out for a little dunk in a tray of water for ten minutes as they don`t like to be totally dry; ( but also not waterlogged). So far so good. Just planted up my second batch and will sow more over the next three months. This provides me with sweet peas in the garden and allotment from early summer (weather permitting) until October - when I start next years crop.
I prepare the ground by enriching it with compost from my bins; newspaper and cardboard to help provide the right conditions and I also provide tomato fertilizer when I am watering. Above all don`t let your sweet peas dry out, people make the mistake of thinking that they look after themselves once planted. They are not fussy and dont need constant care but you water and dead head regularly and they will flower all summer long.
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Sounds good to me. ;) wellybabe. It's ok if you can get them started in the first place. It's the first time in years that we've had trouble with germination - I am sure they were too cold and too damp. :ohmy:
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I planted a batch in Sept, 3 to a 3" pot, in an unheated mini plastic greenhouse, soaked overnight first then into barely moist compost, every one is doing well, and they have been out in the coldframe for the last two weeks. Half have growing tips nipped and half the side shoots nipped........Pleased with them so far
I planted another lot in toilet tubes first week February and as of yesterday they are just peeping through.
They will be going where the runner beans were last year ( great crop that was ) and I have double dug it and forked in lots of poultry bedding, straw and manure etc and this is being absorbed nicely.
One thing that seems to have worked RE: germination is soaking overnight ( no chitting) and then planting into only just moist compost ( general stuff not seed compost ) and then they do not get a watering until the first two leaves and then very lightly.
Seems to be going OK so far but with me its all best intentions and trial and error, but I think I have it about right now with sweetpeas.
PS the Sept sown are not too leggy, from 4" to 6" at the most, quite sturdy and very healthy looking. Lost the packet / label though so not a clue what type they are !
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Sounds good to me. ;) wellybabe. It's ok if you can get them started in the first place. It's the first time in years that we've had trouble with germination - I am sure they were too cold and too damp. :ohmy:
Sounds like you have had plenty of previous experience Learner; as you know not every sowing can be foolproof - in gardening we rely on a certain amount of luck.
Wish you every success with future sowings. Bye for now
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Sounds good to me. ;) wellybabe. It's ok if you can get them started in the first place. It's the first time in years that we've had trouble with germination - I am sure they were too cold and too damp. :ohmy:
Sounds like you have had plenty of previous experience Learner; as you know not every sowing can be foolproof - in gardening we rely on a certain amount of luck.
Wish you every success with future sowings. Bye for now
Thanks for the good wishes. They seem to have helped already! :)
We visited my father-in-law who enjoyed showing me his success with this year's sweet-pea sowings.... he had done so well he was able to give me a dozen in a tray so I am in business again! :D
I couldn't resist sowing a few more of my own - they will look good around the shed!
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A bit of advice to a learner please, people.
I sowed my sweet peas last week and they are currently romping away in the kitchen ( too many kids in this house to have unheated bedrooms lol). They're not quite ready to pinch out according to the advice I've read on here but I am worried that the kitchen will be too hot for them. Would it be okay to put them in the coldframe now...and if so would they be okay out there with this weekend's expected frosts?
Cheers folks.
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Hi folks, sweet pea novice here.
I have sweet pea seedlings romping away in my kitchen which were sown two weeks ago. They are nearly at the point of being pinhed out as per the advice on the other thread and I'm a bit worried that they will over extend themselves and go leggy; but can I then put them into a coldframe or will that kill them off? A cool bedroom is not an option as I have children in all of mine!
Thank you
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You could start hardening them off by putting out during the day and back indoors for the night. In a week or so they should be ok for the cold frame.
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I sowed some end of Oct beginning Sept and they are all sat outside now waiting for the soil to be warm enough and dry enough to plant in. They all got Sparkled with a good frost this morning, thawed out and all perfectly well.
I also sowed some on Feb 1st, and they are all out in the cold frame, lid only down on forecast of a very cold/windy/rainy/freezing night.All doing fine
I sowed some more yesterday, hope to see the little shoots of green in 10 days or so.
The common factors about all of these sweetpea sowings are :
No presoaking of seed
No abrading or chipping of seedshell.
All seedtrays were put into an unheated cheap polythene greenhouse, which is opened during the day and closed for the night.
None were watered in when sown, compost felt slightly damp so that was enough for me, and only a touch of water every 2 or 3 weeks.
No chemicals, feeds, pesticides or anything given to any of them so far.
and they are all looking tremendous.
I have only ever spring planted sweetpeas before and never been 100% happy with the results even though I always dug a good trench well beforehand with lots of good stuff in.
Every other year except this year I have germinated them on a warm windowsill, only put them out when it was calm and sunny weather, watered lightly almost every night,
and I really think that most sweetpea seedlings, sproutings that do not do well are probably too warm, too wet and some perhaps do not get enough daylight.
They are very tough plants really, the only thing delicate about them is the scent!
Lets see how these turn out in summer first though and then we'll see *S*
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PS: Would in not be sensible to move this thread to Diggers post on Sweetpeas?
Just to keep things tidy and easy to follow and find things about sweetpeas on this forum.
Or we could cordon it, cut its tendrils off and stake it out in the sun and see how it likes that !
*S*
( I know I know, not tooo much sun, they don't like it.. stake it out in the lightly dappled shade then,
Carry on, don't mind me.......
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What height are they "romping " to at a week old?
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Thanks for the advice, mumofstig, they've been enjoying the sunshine over the last couple of days.
Some are about 6 inches high and almost ready to nip the tops off. It seems so cruel, somehow!