You need to pinch them out if they're leggy. You can't direct sow in autumn either. Two or three in a pot. Old MPC is ideal. They should take two to three weeks to germinate - any faster and it's because they're too warm. I don't have that problem as it's colder here, and they germinate and grow slowly. Only basic protection from rain/wind and snow is needed.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Hi Fairy, just noticed a date on this 2014!!! I direct sowed the spring. The first goodness knows how many batches scoffed by mice, (we saw him/her) neighbour casualy says he has rats/mice under his decking!!. I sow in cold just about frost free greenhouse, I did pinch out. They took up so much room, we have 3 greenhouses, but overwintering a lot of citrus,bananas, about 20 dahlias,plus the tender bedding.
It [the thread] has just been brought up to the fore because someone was asking about growing them @Nanny Beach . They don't really need much protection at this time of year when sowing, not in the south anyway. I'd probably do them in the growhouse, or my simple cold frame [which is just two small perspex tables, for little cuttings etc] as we've already had frosts. The rough weather is worse for them though.
They only need very basic protection from weather anyway. You don't want them growing quickly in autumn.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Hi Fairy, I do have a cold frame, the pesky mousey manages to slither in underneath. I am just leaving and drying the pods on mine at the moment. People here in the SE corner, (not me!!) are moaning because twice it has gone into single figures at night, outside that is, just checked my north facing kitchen it's 17c in there,when the heating does go on, it will be set at 18c anyway. I would like some recomendations for long stemed ones though, for the vase, most of mine are pretty short, pretty though, haha, some to pick today
I always buy new seed from a reputable supplier. I never keep seed. It isn't reliable enough. I find all the varieties I've had have good length of stems, but conditions can affect that, ie too dry and hot. Cupani is always a bit shorter and smaller, but that's normal for it. Stems will always be shorter later in the season too. I go for colours though - I only grow whites/creams or dark purples. I had a nice one this year called Wild Swan. Slightly frilled edges with a faint hint of green on the edge as they developed, which faded to pure white. Multi headed. Beaujolais is always reliable here for a good dark one. Single figs at night is actually fine. Too much heat isn't good for germinating them just now. You want them to take 2 or 3 weeks to germinate. You could try germinating inside, and then get them in the cold frame. They rarely get taken once germinated. Your kitchen temp would be fine just now. The mice here have constant access to the bird feeders, so they don't normally bother with sweet pea seed
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Hello all, I am a new gardener (with no garden at present!) so I am experimenting with growing sweet peas in a window box! I planted a mix of dwarf variety and standard seeds in February and planted them out a few weeks ago and all is going well so far (fingers crossed!). My current mission is to attempt to train the plants to grow horizontally along and up some bars on my windowsill (pictured!). I appreciate that this is a mad plan and wildy disparate from optimal sweet-pea conditions but I'd love to know your thoughts and any advice that you have!
Sweet peas are very thirsty and hungry plants, with 4 in that smallish trough you are going to have your work cut out keeping them fed and watered I think but good luck with your idea.
Get yourself some liquid rose or tomato feed so you can feed them weekly but be prepared to water daily as up there on a balcony they will be exposed to more wind and stronger sun than they would down below in a sheltered garden.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
@holzsimpson I grew sweet peas last year in a large pot but still managed to overcrowd it.. the blooms were great but their stems were very short. If you’re not planning on cutting the flowers for vases then they should be ok as long as you keep on top of the watering and feeding like the others have said here. I’m growing them in the ground this year instead.. as I prefer them as cut flowers
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I don't have that problem as it's colder here, and they germinate and grow slowly. Only basic protection from rain/wind and snow is needed.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
They don't really need much protection at this time of year when sowing, not in the south anyway. I'd probably do them in the growhouse, or my simple cold frame [which is just two small perspex tables, for little cuttings etc] as we've already had frosts. The rough weather is worse for them though.
They only need very basic protection from weather anyway. You don't want them growing quickly in autumn.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I find all the varieties I've had have good length of stems, but conditions can affect that, ie too dry and hot. Cupani is always a bit shorter and smaller, but that's normal for it. Stems will always be shorter later in the season too. I go for colours though - I only grow whites/creams or dark purples. I had a nice one this year called Wild Swan. Slightly frilled edges with a faint hint of green on the edge as they developed, which faded to pure white. Multi headed. Beaujolais is always reliable here for a good dark one.
Single figs at night is actually fine. Too much heat isn't good for germinating them just now. You want them to take 2 or 3 weeks to germinate.
You could try germinating inside, and then get them in the cold frame. They rarely get taken once germinated. Your kitchen temp would be fine just now. The mice here have constant access to the bird feeders, so they don't normally bother with sweet pea seed
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...