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Root Trainers for Sweet Peas?
Amy Lathwell
Posts: 102
in Plants
Hi all
I want to sow some sweet peas to go in the greenhouse over the winter and have those little individual peat pots that can go straight in the ground when they are planted out but was wondering whether it's worth getting some root trainers instead?
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I think it's a matter of preference really Amy, some people swear by them others prefer a 9cm pot. I use a9cm pot and they fine, no doubt some will disagree, especially the ones who go for show standard blooms. But for the ordinary garden it seems a waste of money.
Morning, Amy
Those 'individual peat pots' you mention are unsuitable as they don't have enough depth to accommodate sweet pea's very deep root system.
There are quite a few different types on the market.....I use those resembling black polythene bags, sold by Eagle Sweet Peas: http://www.eaglesweetpeas.co.uk/gallery.php?g=8 These need to be removed before planting out.
You may prefer biodegradable types, if so, these may suit you better: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Arthur-Bowers-Fyba-Tubes-Onions/dp/B00E3C3G6G
I only use the peat pots for fast growing things like courgettes, they tend to get a bit soft the longer something is growing in them, you might find they have disintegrated by the time you want to plant out you sweet peas.
I have the deep root trainers which can also be used for growing peas, broad beans, French beans, runners beans, sweetcorn, morning glory and probably a whole load of other things I haven't thought of. If you are careful when you use them they should last for a good few seasons.
I bought the proper root trainers, as David says those peat pots are not good.
They grow a very long tap root, especially if you grow them over winter, in a pot this root just curls round and round in the bottom of the pot, in a root trainer, this doesnt happen.
I have used the same root trainers for 3 years and they are still perfectly good, when the sweet peas come out, the beans go in, you do need to go careful with them, they look a bit fragile, maybe more suited for the ladies (oops sexist remark)
If you weigh up the cost, used twice a year I dont think they are expensive. I got mine from ebay.
Edited to add.. I find it makes no difference whether I grow them in the Autumn, the Spring sown ones caught up and they all bloomed together, so I am not bothering this year.
Its probably where I live because a lot of people see an advantage in Autumn sowing.
Thanks everyone.... think I will invest in some.
What other things might I use the peat pots for - suggestions very welcome!
Thanks Lyn...yes, I think I will invest! Ebay here I come!
I love deep root trainers for sweet peas.
An alternative is to use cardboard tubes (toilet roll, kitchen roll) packed with seed compost. Then when it's time for them to go out, you can just put the whole tube in the ground, without disturbing the roots, as the cardboard will break down in the soil.
I found that they went mouldy. The root systems in toilet roll tubes were not as good as those in roottrainers.
So could you just use a bigger pot and put the seeds round the edge, say half a dozen in a 2 litre pot? Then they've got a good 4" of compost to get their roots in?