The OP's plants were already struggling. Unless you're growing them yourself, and doing a staggered sowing, they need to be bought and moved on well before June because of the root system @ERICS MUM. Your grandad knew the score
Plants in early June should at least look like this. Further south in warmer climes, they'd probably be further on. [this was from 3 years ago, 9th June. April ] That pot's about 15 " diameter at the top
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I have my sweet peas in a big 60cm wide and deep ceramic pot on a north facing terrace and next to an outside tap so watering is easy. They are doing well but in the recent hot period - 38C for hours each day - they stopped flowering despite being watered.
Now we've had some storms and it's mid 20s and they are starting to flower again. They were a late sowing and I knew it would be risky here so this year I shall sow mine in October so they are good, strong plants that can over-winter well and get a head start next spring.
You could try the same @megan23 if you have a cold frame or greenhouse or a cool porch to keep them sheltered from the worst of the winter rain and cold.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
@Fairygirl I water them plenty so it must’ve been the hot weather making them struggle. Good to know the mildew is caused by that too. I’ll wait for fresh buds before using tomorite 👍🏼 Mine actually looked very healthy when I bought them in June but I did plant them late. I definitely want to try growing from seed and I’m sure they make for much stronger plants. Thanks @Obelixx for the tip - I don’t have a greenhouse etc but I wonder if it’d work in the outdoor shed?! I’m learning here that seeds like cold but not too much and definitely not heat.
You can sow in autumn, and all they need is protection from rough weather, nothing more. A shed is no use - they need light. Up against a house wall if you have somewhere reasonably sheltered, otherwise just a cold frame - opened. It's only excessive rain and wind that's a problem, not frost. I did some last year in my growhouse, with the top permanently opened a couple of inches. I also have a couple of small perspex tables, and those are fine too. If you sow then, and the plants grow, you need to pinch them out regularly or they'll just become leggy and weak. They need sown in a seed compost - ordinary stuff is too rich. If you only have multi purpose, you can add some perlite or grit or similar just so that there aren't too many nutrients. Old compost from this year's bedding is also fine. Use deep root trainers if you can, or just 2 to 3 seeds in 3 inch pots. I use discarded coffee cups which are deeper, and they're even better. Plant the entire pot out in spring, once it's warm enough. You can also do another sowing which will then prolong the season. I rarely do autumn sowing, because our weather in spring is usually poor [frost, snow, rain and low temps] so the April sown ones catch up. @dumbleydory - if you're meaning to replace sweet peas in a pot with a honeysuckle, it won't work. They need to be in the ground.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Pick a suitable spot where they aren't in hot, dry conditions @dumbleydory. They need a nice cool, damp area for their roots, and then they'll scramble up and over hedges, shrubs, sheds etc. They're not so well suited to trellis or similar, in the way sweet peas are though.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thanks for your advice @Fairygirl. I would prefer to sow in Spring as it sounds easier - if that can still produce a good healthy plant. If thats the case what would you recommend as the process? (I assume its different to Autumn sown seeds to protect from harsh weather).
It's the same in that you just keep the worst of the weather off them while they get to a reasonable size and condition, so a cold frame with the lid open a bit, or just a sheltered site next to house wall or similar. It should take around two to three weeks for seed to germinate, and you can do that inside the house, and then have them outdoors, again - going by your temps and general weather. Here, it can be fairly unpleasant in April and May, so it's a question of timing according to your location. I can sow in my little growhouse, or on the windowsill, in late March/early April, and they'll take till early/mid May to be a reasonable size for planting in their final position. In a warmer area, that could be several weeks sooner. You can also just sow direct into those pots in April/May, if the weather's decent and it's warmer. Once the overhead conditions are favourable, they can be hardened off. That's just a case of leaving them outside in the open completely for a while each day for a week or so and then they can be out permanently. If you feel it's quite warm and pleasant outdoors, then the plants will be fine too. If it isn't, or it's wet and windy, just keep them tucked in their sheltered spot. Plant out into their final pots, or into the ground if you have somewhere suitable, once they're used to the weather, and the general temps are high enough to be pleasant, and plants of all kinds are growing. If the roots are showing through the bottom of the pots, it means they're filling those well and they're a good size, and ready to go. Ordinary multi purpose compost is fine for spring sowing, because you want the plants growing strongly, as opposed to autumn sown ones. Remember - you can come on the forum around that time and get plenty of help with them. Lots of people grow sweet peas and there's always people wanting info.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thank you @Fairygirl for your help and advice in the Summer. They didn't end up flowering unfortunately but this year I will try again and do it earlier! Thanks again
Posts
Plants in early June should at least look like this. Further south in warmer climes, they'd probably be further on. [this was from 3 years ago, 9th June. April ]
That pot's about 15 " diameter at the top
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Now we've had some storms and it's mid 20s and they are starting to flower again. They were a late sowing and I knew it would be risky here so this year I shall sow mine in October so they are good, strong plants that can over-winter well and get a head start next spring.
You could try the same @megan23 if you have a cold frame or greenhouse or a cool porch to keep them sheltered from the worst of the winter rain and cold.
late. I definitely want to try growing from seed and I’m sure they make for much stronger plants. Thanks @Obelixx for the tip - I don’t have a greenhouse etc but I wonder if it’d work in the outdoor shed?! I’m learning here that seeds like cold but not too much and definitely not heat.
If you sow then, and the plants grow, you need to pinch them out regularly or they'll just become leggy and weak. They need sown in a seed compost - ordinary stuff is too rich. If you only have multi purpose, you can add some perlite or grit or similar just so that there aren't too many nutrients. Old compost from this year's bedding is also fine.
Use deep root trainers if you can, or just 2 to 3 seeds in 3 inch pots. I use discarded coffee cups which are deeper, and they're even better. Plant the entire pot out in spring, once it's warm enough. You can also do another sowing which will then prolong the season.
I rarely do autumn sowing, because our weather in spring is usually poor [frost, snow, rain and low temps] so the April sown ones catch up.
@dumbleydory - if you're meaning to replace sweet peas in a pot with a honeysuckle, it won't work. They need to be in the ground.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
They need a nice cool, damp area for their roots, and then they'll scramble up and over hedges, shrubs, sheds etc.
They're not so well suited to trellis or similar, in the way sweet peas are though.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
It should take around two to three weeks for seed to germinate, and you can do that inside the house, and then have them outdoors, again - going by your temps and general weather. Here, it can be fairly unpleasant in April and May, so it's a question of timing according to your location. I can sow in my little growhouse, or on the windowsill, in late March/early April, and they'll take till early/mid May to be a reasonable size for planting in their final position. In a warmer area, that could be several weeks sooner. You can also just sow direct into those pots in April/May, if the weather's decent and it's warmer.
Once the overhead conditions are favourable, they can be hardened off. That's just a case of leaving them outside in the open completely for a while each day for a week or so and then they can be out permanently. If you feel it's quite warm and pleasant outdoors, then the plants will be fine too. If it isn't, or it's wet and windy, just keep them tucked in their sheltered spot.
Plant out into their final pots, or into the ground if you have somewhere suitable, once they're used to the weather, and the general temps are high enough to be pleasant, and plants of all kinds are growing. If the roots are showing through the bottom of the pots, it means they're filling those well and they're a good size, and ready to go. Ordinary multi purpose compost is fine for spring sowing, because you want the plants growing strongly, as opposed to autumn sown ones.
Remember - you can come on the forum around that time and get plenty of help with them. Lots of people grow sweet peas and there's always people wanting info.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...