So sorry if this has been covered, I have read many pages of this thread but couldn't find the answer. How do you get long straight stems on sweet pea? I presume it's how you tie in but do you also restrict growth of the plant? Thanks in advance. I have 20+ pots of Autumn sown peas to plant out this weekend. All have been hardened off and I plan to make a trench of home compost for them to lie in, against a southeast facing stone wall.
I really love sweet pea; the look of the variously coloured blooms and their aroma is so delicious.
Hi LouatL - I think you take off the side shoots and encourage a single stem once they're growing well but David will be able to give you accurate info as he's the sweet pea expert on here and grew them for showing.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
B****y hounds decided to dig a hole next to my blueberry bush and in the process buried my sweet peas! Was out with the torch at 11 last night moving the soil (with my hand......glad there were no slugs!!), luckily only one was damaged (beyond repair).....
Hi, Louat.....re those long straight stems. There are two methods of growing SPs.
1) the decorative method & 2) the cordon method. The decorative method is for growing for cut flowers and involves nothing more elaborate than providing adequate support & letting them romp away.The cordon method is very labour intensive, but the one used by exhibitors.
I've posted a cordon growing guide on page 23 of this thread.
B****y hounds decided to dig a hole next to my blueberry bush and in the process buried my sweet peas! Was out with the torch at 11 last night moving the soil (with my hand......glad there were no slugs!!), luckily only one was damaged (beyond repair).....
Oh dear, Tracy.....those poor sweet peas do seem to be jinxed.
Just read page 23: Fab, Thank you. I've got so many sweet peas (brag, brag) of different colours etc that I'm going to try both ways. Last year I had dreadfully short blooms AND they were covered in greenfly BUT they has an unusual red marbled effect and their perfume was gorgeous. I cut them for our September village show, shook the greenfly off, plonked them in a pewter teapot and went to the show. [I was rather ashamed of them in comparison to a really wonderful grower whose stems were long and straight and whose flowers were pale blue.]
I won first prize! My husband must have bribed the judges!! The note from the judge commended the smell and marble look. Funny old world.
Just read page 23: Fab, Thank you. I've got so many sweet peas (brag, brag) of different colours etc that I'm going to try both ways. Last year I had dreadfully short blooms AND they were covered in greenfly BUT they has an unusual red marbled effect and their perfume was gorgeous. I cut them for our September village show, shook the greenfly off, plonked them in a pewter teapot and went to the show. [I was rather ashamed of them in comparison to a really wonderful grower whose stems were long and straight and whose flowers were pale blue.]
I won first prize! My husband must have bribed the judges!! The note from the judge commended the smell and marble look. Funny old world.
Not at all Fairygirl, you were spot on. Thank you.... not quite sure how I managed to post twice above!! Sorry everyone but thanks for the good sweet pea advice.
Posts
Ah right Lizzie, I see now, sorry I misunderstood. Just watching GW and the sweet pea feature
So sorry if this has been covered, I have read many pages of this thread but couldn't find the answer. How do you get long straight stems on sweet pea? I presume it's how you tie in but do you also restrict growth of the plant? Thanks in advance. I have 20+ pots of Autumn sown peas to plant out this weekend. All have been hardened off and I plan to make a trench of home compost for them to lie in, against a southeast facing stone wall.
I really love sweet pea; the look of the variously coloured blooms and their aroma is so delicious.
Hi LouatL - I think you take off the side shoots and encourage a single stem once they're growing well but David will be able to give you accurate info as he's the sweet pea expert on here and grew them for showing.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
B****y hounds decided to dig a hole next to my blueberry bush and in the process buried my sweet peas! Was out with the torch at 11 last night moving the soil (with my hand......glad there were no slugs!!), luckily only one was damaged (beyond repair).....
Hi, Louat.....re those long straight stems. There are two methods of growing SPs.
1) the decorative method & 2) the cordon method. The decorative method is for growing for cut flowers and involves nothing more elaborate than providing adequate support & letting them romp away.The cordon method is very labour intensive, but the one used by exhibitors.
I've posted a cordon growing guide on page 23 of this thread.
Oh dear, Tracy.....those poor sweet peas do seem to be jinxed.
Just read page 23: Fab, Thank you. I've got so many sweet peas (brag, brag) of different colours etc that I'm going to try both ways. Last year I had dreadfully short blooms AND they were covered in greenfly BUT they has an unusual red marbled effect and their perfume was gorgeous. I cut them for our September village show, shook the greenfly off, plonked them in a pewter teapot and went to the show. [I was rather ashamed of them in comparison to a really wonderful grower whose stems were long and straight and whose flowers were pale blue.]
I won first prize! My husband must have bribed the judges!! The note from the judge commended the smell and marble look. Funny old world.
Just read page 23: Fab, Thank you. I've got so many sweet peas (brag, brag) of different colours etc that I'm going to try both ways. Last year I had dreadfully short blooms AND they were covered in greenfly BUT they has an unusual red marbled effect and their perfume was gorgeous. I cut them for our September village show, shook the greenfly off, plonked them in a pewter teapot and went to the show. [I was rather ashamed of them in comparison to a really wonderful grower whose stems were long and straight and whose flowers were pale blue.]
I won first prize! My husband must have bribed the judges!! The note from the judge commended the smell and marble look. Funny old world.
I knew David would give you the info Lou. I'm sure what I said was a load of rubbish!
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Not at all Fairygirl, you were spot on. Thank you.... not quite sure how I managed to post twice above!! Sorry everyone but thanks for the good sweet pea advice.