Verdun - The main advantage of autumn sown sweet peas is the fact that they produce blooms much earlier (mid to late May) than those sown at other times.....although they do cease flowering earlier too.
Re fragrance, (as with roses) the older varieties such as Spencer's have the strongest scent.
Hi everyone, I've gone back to the beginning of the thread and read as many posts as possible. Some very very useful info, thank you David. Now I'm worrying I've done wrong and wish I knew about this thread earlier. But I do know why my Sweet Peas always end up 'leggy' so will be trying to avoid that mistake.
I planted mine last week, not expensive fancy ones, just some from Wilkinsons, just to see if I could do better than previous years without spending a fortune! I did however use JI seed compost, which I never have done before. They are planted in paper pots that I made and they are now sat on the windowsill in my back from where it is probably about 17c during the day until we put the wood burner on.
So a couple of questions, when they germinate should I move them to the greenhouse (unheated and I have no cold frame) or should I plant them in the tubs where they are to grow (they are deep don't worry about that) and protect them from animals/slugs? In the past I have kept them in the house until I have planted them out and also sown a lot later, probably April/May, I realise now this is totally wrong and that is the reason for the leginess!!
Also, I think I may have planted them at the wrong time of year and am now wondering whether do plant some more in Feb/March, more expensive ones and maybe as a bit of an experiment - Jan sown cheap vs later sown better quality??
Any thoughts please?
I am off to the gym soon as then have a busy family day so may not be able to respond until later to any replies but thanks in advance
Hi, Tracy...yes, put them in your cold greenhouse when they have germinated, but try to do it when there no severe frosts......deffo not outside in their final quarters. Once they've acclimatised they will tolerate very low temperatures.
Depending on the temperature of where they are now, they will take between 7 & 21 days to surface.
Depending how these progress, you may well wish to sow more in another couple of weeks or so.
Thanks David, so I'm not too late/early then? It just seemed that everyone was planting either October or Feb/March. The house tends to be an average 18-20c but a bit cooler in the back room when we aren't in there.
You may have seen my other posts about my current greenhouse coming down (next weekend hopefully) and a new one is being delivered 4/2 so hopefully they won't need to be in before then but when they do go in it will be a lot more secure from mice etc than the current one with no door and missing glass!!
I've grown mine several to a pot previously but it's year I have planted them individually in paper pots. I've also struggled with pinching out previously and will definitely be ding that this year. I'm loving learning all this and can't wait to see some results.
Yes David, very exciting times It is slightly smaller but I will be able to use it without worrying the glass is going to break on me!! Also getting new borders around the edge of the lawn on Friday so my head is getting even more full of ideas, busy busy weekend planned next weekend. Fingers crossed for half decent weather
Posts
grandad started his seeds off in 10s of woodbine packets . nowt else will do lad .
Verdun - The main advantage of autumn sown sweet peas is the fact that they produce blooms much earlier (mid to late May) than those sown at other times.....although they do cease flowering earlier too.
Re fragrance, (as with roses) the older varieties such as Spencer's have the strongest scent.
I planted mine last week, not expensive fancy ones, just some from Wilkinsons, just to see if I could do better than previous years without spending a fortune! I did however use JI seed compost, which I never have done before. They are planted in paper pots that I made and they are now sat on the windowsill in my back from where it is probably about 17c during the day until we put the wood burner on.
So a couple of questions, when they germinate should I move them to the greenhouse (unheated and I have no cold frame) or should I plant them in the tubs where they are to grow (they are deep don't worry about that) and protect them from animals/slugs? In the past I have kept them in the house until I have planted them out and also sown a lot later, probably April/May, I realise now this is totally wrong and that is the reason for the leginess!!
Also, I think I may have planted them at the wrong time of year and am now wondering whether do plant some more in Feb/March, more expensive ones and maybe as a bit of an experiment - Jan sown cheap vs later sown better quality??
Any thoughts please?
I am off to the gym soon as then have a busy family day so may not be able to respond until later to any replies but thanks in advance
Hi, Tracy...yes, put them in your cold greenhouse when they have germinated, but try to do it when there no severe frosts......deffo not outside in their final quarters. Once they've acclimatised they will tolerate very low temperatures.
Depending on the temperature of where they are now, they will take between 7 & 21 days to surface.
Depending how these progress, you may well wish to sow more in another couple of weeks or so.
Good luck!
You may have seen my other posts about my current greenhouse coming down (next weekend hopefully) and a new one is being delivered 4/2 so hopefully they won't need to be in before then but when they do go in it will be a lot more secure from mice etc than the current one with no door and missing glass!!
This isn't an ideal time i.e. light levels besides temperatures, for sowing.....10c would be the ideal temperature for sowing.
I haven't seen those posts you mention, but of course, the mice are really only interested in the seed... not the seedlings.
New greenhouse.....exciting times!
Yes David, very exciting times
Verdun - I sow my seed two to the pot and plant them out without separating them.....this is for cut flowers rather than for exhibition.
You mentioned varieties earlier, my own preference is for picotee types, although it's a personal preference thing.
Tracy - Good luck & keep in touch if you need anymore help.