Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Sweet Pea DISASTER! Any ideas what's happened/I should do?

hamiltonmarketingservicehamiltonmarketingservice Posts: 6
in Problem solving
Hi, I grew my sweet pea from seed, hardened off in April, they have been thriving since till last week and then this happened - leaves have basically lost colour like they were splashed with something?? I did give them Miracle Gro last week but surely this would not happen as a result? Would be delighted if anyone could help me - what should I do now? Am I doomed?!!! Thank you in advance! 
«1

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They'll recover. Most likely as @pansyface describes, or the feed has been splashed on them. 
    Be careful how much food you give them at this stage too. Extra is needed later in the season once flowering gets going, but they shouldn't need much at this point if they're in good growing conditions.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • hamiltonmarketingservicehamiltonmarketingservice Posts: 6
    Pansyface and Fairygirl, thank you, yes they got splashed during a spell of sunshine
    What should I feed them and how regularly once they start flowering?
    Thank you !
  • hamiltonmarketingservicehamiltonmarketingservice Posts: 6
    Also they have drooping buds ... some look they were about to flower
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I use tomato food for mine later in the year [from around late July early August] but only a couple of feeds usually as they have some slow release food for the first couple of months. Our season is later here though - nowhere near flowering yet, but mine will still be flowering well into October. 
    Water is more important than anything especially if you have a lot in one container, or, if in the ground, there's a lot of competition where they're planted. 

    The drooping buds could be down to dry conditions, but sweet pea buds do droop until they flower opens.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • hamiltonmarketingservicehamiltonmarketingservice Posts: 6
    Thank you Fairy Girl, I think our season is generally later too - I was over enthusiastic this year I think (nothing much else to do in Europe's longest lockdown!!) thanks again
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I don't sow as early as people further south - it's rarely worthwhile. I sow in mid to late March usually, in the greenhouse, and then harden off and keep in a sheltered spot until the weather is decent enough to plant them out. April is normally pretty rough so they don't do very well if planted out then - they sit and sulk.  I usually wait until May.
    Last year was exceptional as it was the hottest April on record, but that isn't the norm.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • hamiltonmarketingservicehamiltonmarketingservice Posts: 6
    Yes, I think I will do what you do next year, thanks again. Fingers crossed
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    What are you growing them in? Is it a pot or a trough?
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • hamiltonmarketingservicehamiltonmarketingservice Posts: 6
    A pot - about 15 inches deep
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    That's fine - they need a good deep root run  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Sign In or Register to comment.