Sweet pea too weak to support themselves at just 6 inch high.

young codger · February 2023

Last year I germinated 2 or 3 Lathyrus Red pearl seeds. They were fine up to about 6 inch. I put some straw size wooden scewers in the pots to support them but it was a bit of a hassle. They were so floppy and void of rigidity.

I want to try some more this year, but want to do so after hopefully gaining some advice on here. What do I need to differently?

Dovefromabove · February 2023

It sounds as if they were either too warm, or didn't have enough light ... very possibly a combination of both factors.

Sweet peas are tough as old boots especially the Everlasting Sweet Peas, which is what yours are ... if you're starting them indoors, I would put three seeds to a smallish (4"?) pot and once germinated remove from heated propagator if using, and put them somewhere cool and bright ... a cool greenhouse or coldframe ... they'll grow nice and sturdy for you. I treat all three together as one plant, and pot them on together so the roots aren't disturbed. When planting out keep them together in a clump.

However they don't need to be started indoors ... I would simply wait until March, soak the seeds in room temp water overnight and sow them where you want them to grow. Just keep the patch weedfree.

Once they've got three pairs of proper leaves nip out the growing tip and they'll bush out for you.

Fairygirl · February 2023

I agree - they're very very tough, especially the perennial, so it's most likely a problem with timing and conditions [ie lack of light and too much heat] and/or too rich a growing medium.

young codger · February 2023

Thank you Dove for the excellent tips. It would never have ocurred to me to put a few together.

Both you and Fairgirl were spot on regarding my errors. I'm a lot impatient and tend to sew seeds too early. Not only that, I also stand the pots on top of the fire suround, or even a warner place what am I like!! 🙈 Lessons Learned.

Fairygirl · February 2023

I've just replied on another thread re s. peas. It's the same situation @young codger only with the annual ones.

The vast majority of problems that arise with many seeds, not just s. peas, are from sowing too early, and/or in the wrong conditions. Over cossetting is another

https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/948516/sweet-peas#latest

young codger · February 2023

@Dovefromabove
@Fairygirl

Do we know what the required germination temp is for these seeds ?

Dovefromabove · February 2023

I would just put them in a pot and put them outside. They really don’t need warmth to germinate. They’ll grow when the temperature is to their liking and you’ll get stronger plants for doing it like that.

Once you have a few plants Everlasting Sweetpeas will self-sow all by themselves in your garden … they really don’t need much (if any) tlc.

😊

Fairygirl · February 2023

In theory, around mid to high teens for the annuals, is adequate, but it would need to be consistent. Inconsistency just means they grow a bit more slowly, and that's actually better. It's different if you're sowing in late spring or early summer, because the conditions are simply much better for them to grow on, and that's why it's counter productive to sow too early. Far more work keeping them right.

I'd imagine it would be similar for the perennial ones, but as @Dovefromabove says, the fact that they're perennial means it's a slightly different process and approach, as they're naturally tougher than the annuals. I've never done them from seed though, but I certainly wouldn't be over protecting them.

Slow-worm · February 2023

Do the perennial ones get munched by slugs as much as the annuals?

philippasmith2 · February 2023

IME, they don't differentiate once up and growing. I think the perennial ones tend to have tougher leaves than the annuals but that's just a guess.

Fairygirl · February 2023

There's a big stand of one of the perennial varieties not far from me. It never looks slug damaged, but it may be as @philippasmith2 says - tougher once established.

I don't plant out the annual ones directly into borders, unless it's in a particular spot which is a bit drier and less desirable for slugs. They just get annihilated overnight if I do, and that's even when they're good, bushy plants.

Sweet pea too weak to support themselves at just 6 inch high.

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