think i might give it a go as have ordered 50 cupanis so can experiment with 5 or so. Have 1 heated 8x6gh and a cold little leanto gh, the latter is mostly used over winter for dahlias etc
Hi David, Getting itchy fingers here - I guess still too early to start sowing for next year?
Yes, just a little, figrat. Those 'itchy fingers' could be your worst enemy...it suggests lavishing care that sweet peas just don't need.
What we are looking for is a spell of weather when there is still enough warmth to germinate the seed (50F) then for cold weather to set in to stop them putting on growth. If we start too early, the seedlings will just put on too much growth & become weak and leggy.
If in doubt you could always germinate the seed indoors in November (say an unheated bedroom) then transfer them into a cold greenhouse or similar as soon as the poke through.
PS. I'll start the new thread for next year's sweet peas (as promised) shortly.
Is this the right place or is there another sweet pea thread on the go now?
I sowed some sweetpeas a couple of weeks ago and stuck them into the greenhouse. They've started to sprout (an inch at most). Should they go outside now or should give them another week or two to grow a little bit more?
Dunno if there is anymore SP threads, but I can say that they need to kept as cool as possible once they have germinated, otherwise they will get leggy.
Posts
think i might give it a go as have ordered 50 cupanis so can experiment with 5 or so. Have 1 heated 8x6gh and a cold little leanto gh, the latter is mostly used over winter for dahlias etc
Getting itchy fingers here - I guess still too early to start sowing for next year?
What we are looking for is a spell of weather when there is still enough warmth to germinate the seed (50F) then for cold weather to set in to stop them putting on growth. If we start too early, the seedlings will just put on too much growth & become weak and leggy.
If in doubt you could always germinate the seed indoors in November (say an unheated bedroom) then transfer them into a cold greenhouse or similar as soon as the poke through.
PS. I'll start the new thread for next year's sweet peas (as promised) shortly.
Is this the right place or is there another sweet pea thread on the go now?
I sowed some sweetpeas a couple of weeks ago and stuck them into the greenhouse. They've started to sprout (an inch at most). Should they go outside now or should give them another week or two to grow a little bit more?
Dunno if there is anymore SP threads, but I can say that they need to kept as cool as possible once they have germinated, otherwise they will get leggy.
Ok, thanks, I'll stick them outside in the morning since it's dark now.
Lisa, I do apologise, I had forgot about this thread. Most questions seem to be directed towards this thread now: http://www.gardenersworld.com/forum/the-potting-shed/growing-sweet-peas/6143-3.html
Btw, I'm assuming you mean a coldframe or similar, when you say 'outdoors'.