Sweet Pea Dilemma
TheConstantGardenerBee
Posts: 19
Good morning,
I have purchased some Sweet Pea Fragrantissima (beginner option) and I know I'm right on the cusp of being able to grow indoors, but want to have a first bash at it anyway and can always buy plugs if it goes pear shaped.
The instructions on the back advise soaking seeds overnight (done) and potting in a propogator or within a plastic bag to get 20-25 degree temps until germination (no instructions for after that).
This is contrary to any advice I've read on threads on here on via you tube. I was going to pot them up in toilet rolls in small seed trays and put them in the cold frame.
I've also got the added issue of going away for 3 days tomorrow morning so I'm hoping I won't have to fuss around and mist them every day.
I see the following options:
1. Follow the instructions and pot them in my little propogator (even though the trays are shallow) and risk them drying out in 3 days.
2. Follow the instructions but pot them in toilet rolls and plastic bag them up to create the temperature they say they need. Moisture should be trapped and me being away shouldn't matter.
3. Pot them in toilet rolls and stick them in a cold frame which seems to be what most people do.
Can anyone offer any advice on this? All appreciated.
Posts
Hi constant gardener if you look at this thread I'm sure you'll find the information that you want
http://www.gardenersworld.com/forum/the-potting-shed/growing-sweet-peas-2014/2015/520591.html
Thanks. I've already been through it. I'm not sure it does answer my question. Why would the instructions on my seeds say it needed heat for germination and everyone else say that that they can cope with below 0 temps.
From what David K has taught us, I think they need the warmer temperature to germinate (although 20-25C seems excessive - I think about 15C) but as soon as they're germinated and have a pair of leaves they can go outside in the coldframe.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
ok. Thanks Dovefromabove. So if i pot them initially in my propagotor and hope they don't dry out and then prick them out into toilet rolls on trays later?
I would put them in the toilet rolls in the propagator then you won't damage the roots by pricking out.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I use root trainers in my propogater they are nice and deep so no root disturbance and they fit in the propagaters seed tray, also they shouldn't dry out if you have got the perspect lid on.
Hi, Constant....the name seems familiar.
Without seeing those instructions in detail its not easy to make a reasoned reply....but first thoughts are just waffle.
First of all it isn't necessary to soak the seed, alas, if you have already done it, it will do no harm.
Your seed will require a maximum of 10c (50f) to germinate after that they will cope with temperatures as low as -10c......any form of warmth is solely to initiate germination.
For me, no propagator or plastic bag.....and misting!
Plan 3 seems your best option.
Good luck.
Btw, you can always ask questions on the other thread, if you can't find what you need.
PS. I would be interested to know the source of your seed, via a PM if possible.
I would hazard a guess at Thomson & Morgan, David, they insist on everything in a plastic bag. I have just sown mine, in root trainers, I find cardboard tubes go mouldy, they are on my kitchen worktop until they getminate, then out in the cold greenhouse.
Right 10C not 15C - but I wasn't far out - at least I knew that 20-25C was too much
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.