Sweet Peas

Alfie_ · May 2023

Hi,

I’m wanting to create some sweet pea obelisks using coppiced hazel from our tree. Was just going to go simple with three sticks. I wanted some advice on how many sweet peas to plant next to each stick? Here are the ones I purchased. Pots are small but looks like multiple plants per pot. Should I do one pot per post or tease apart one pot into three bits - so one pot per obelisk? Thanks

bertrand-mabel · May 2023

I have found that some roots get damaged when teased out so with sweet peas I tend to plant them out from the pot. Ours were planted out last week and all were planted out as clumps. The rain is doing good for them today!

Great that you are using your own hazel. You may need to put some twiggy bits by the plants to allow them to latch on before they start climbing.

WAMS · May 2023

I'd try to separate them into groups of 2-3 plants unless the roots began protesting. I sow 2-3 sweet peas per pot and that gives plenty of coverage for a post.

Alfie_ · May 2023

Thanks both. If they can be teased out would you say that pot could do three posts @WAMS?

WAMS · May 2023

Yeah I would give it a go. (Doesn't mean it's a good idea lol)

Alfie_ · May 2023

I’ve built the obelisk and planted the sweet peas. I have done a low cross pattern around the base - will this be enough to help them climb initially?

Would you also pinch out al the growing tips? Thanks

Winston_The_Gravity_Man · May 2023

A tip from a GQT panel member from a few years ago is that when the sweet peas reach the top of their frame, bend over and tie down the growing tip and continue to do so. The reason given was that keeping them growing downwards alters the plant’s hormonal balance and results in greatly increased flower production. I’ve no idea if it works but will try it this year (first time growing them for many a long year).

Sweet Peas

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