Me too, Dove.....(well didn't grow up on a farm) but spent much of my childhood & teens on one. Even had a partnership in a poultry farm later......but that's another story.
I suppose a case in point was illustrated in last night's 'lambing live' on tv. They were quite robust in the delivery of those young lambs and would imagine viewers being concerned.....but the truth remains, they are tough little blighters & the best was being done for them.
No, they are tied David, I consciously didn't tie them in case they thought they were being mollycoddled too much They were all the twiggy bits I could find, next year I will go hunting for bigger twiggy bits when people are chopping tress/bushes etc.
I have just put coffee grounds and egg shells round them all too, they've got to have their breakfast
They are looking better and you may able to just see the new shoots at the bottom
I can't be doing with stuff that needs coddled and sweet peas are perfect because they are so easy. Slugs and snails are always a problem here but get the birds in and they solve that issue most of the time. That's why I don't grow loads of perennials either, unless they're tough. Might as well put a sign up and an arrow - free dinner here...
I don't really have enough time for fussy plants of any kind in my garden. If they don't grow - they go.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I have a couple of questions on my sweet peas. This seems to be the place to ask!
I've sowed them in a staggered manner in loo rolls indoors and they've done alright. They were a bit leggy, but that improved since I put some lights over them. (I don't have anything like a windowsill). So, my questions:
1) I planted the first plant outside already, at an age of around a month, and we did have a couple of light frosts afterwards (though not the first few nights after they were in). And while it looks alive, it hasn't really grown since and some of the lower leaves look a bit grey.
2) I've been pinching out after the fourth set of leaves, taking them back to two sets of leaves, but I don't seem to get any branching as yet. Conversely, some of my peas which I'm growing in a similar way, are branching away merrily though I didn't pinch them out.
Hi Owen, there is some really useful info on this thread and David is great at helping us and being patient!
Sweet peas are fine with frost, David has told us this many times so I can answer that question.......they don't like being 'coddled' as David frequently tells myself and other mums on here who like to protect and nurture (he thinks it's a woman thing!! )
As for the leaves thing, I pinched mine out a couple of weeks ago as they had gone very leggy and they have been outside since, they are just starting it get leaf buds at the bottom now, I posted a picture further up last night and on the plant in the corner you can just seen them. I think I pinched mine out lower down though, after the second set of leaves maybe?
So I wouldn't worry, but no doubt David will be around later to tell you more as he is the expert
Owen - I agree OC.....you don't seem to have anything to be concerned about. For sure you are not too late this year and seem on course for some beautiful flowers.
As I've said before, I've never used toilet roll middles for sowing and appreciate that they are biodegradable. However, it concerns me that if the whole tube isn't planted the full depth of the tube & below the surface....the exposed top will not rot and may syphon water away from the young plants.
While I'm here, I would just like to say this on the subject of the hardiness of sweet peas. Many, many times mine have been frozen solid in their pots and the compost rock hard, with the young seedlings flopped over. BUT, as soon as the weather warms-up again & the compost thaws out, they recover & are soon standing upright again.
That's excellent news David. Thank you very much. Feeling a lot more optimistic now.
By the way, I did plant the toilet rolls fully below the surface so hopefully that won't be a problem. Not sure where to source the proper root trainers from in this country (Switzerland).
Posts
Me too, Dove.....(well didn't grow up on a farm) but spent much of my childhood & teens on one. Even had a partnership in a poultry farm later......but that's another story.
I suppose a case in point was illustrated in last night's 'lambing live' on tv. They were quite robust in the delivery of those young lambs and would imagine viewers being concerned.....but the truth remains, they are tough little blighters & the best was being done for them.
No, they are tied David, I consciously didn't tie them in case they thought they were being mollycoddled too much
They were all the twiggy bits I could find, next year I will go hunting for bigger twiggy bits when people are chopping tress/bushes etc.
I have just put coffee grounds and egg shells round them all too, they've got to have their breakfast
They are looking better and you may able to just see the new shoots at the bottom
I can't be doing with stuff that needs coddled and sweet peas are perfect because they are so easy. Slugs and snails are always a problem here but get the birds in and they solve that issue most of the time. That's why I don't grow loads of perennials either, unless they're tough. Might as well put a sign up and an arrow - free dinner here...
I don't really have enough time for fussy plants of any kind in my garden. If they don't grow - they go.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Ah, but next year they won't be leggy, so you'll not need them.
I have a couple of questions on my sweet peas. This seems to be the place to ask!
I've sowed them in a staggered manner in loo rolls indoors and they've done alright. They were a bit leggy, but that improved since I put some lights over them. (I don't have anything like a windowsill). So, my questions:
1) I planted the first plant outside already, at an age of around a month, and we did have a couple of light frosts afterwards (though not the first few nights after they were in). And while it looks alive, it hasn't really grown since and some of the lower leaves look a bit grey.
2) I've been pinching out after the fourth set of leaves, taking them back to two sets of leaves, but I don't seem to get any branching as yet. Conversely, some of my peas which I'm growing in a similar way, are branching away merrily though I didn't pinch them out.
I'd be really grateful for any advice!
Thanks,
Owen.
Hi Owen, there is some really useful info on this thread and David is great at helping us and being patient!
Sweet peas are fine with frost, David has told us this many times so I can answer that question.......they don't like being 'coddled' as David frequently tells myself and other mums on here who like to protect and nurture (he thinks it's a woman thing!! )
As for the leaves thing, I pinched mine out a couple of weeks ago as they had gone very leggy and they have been outside since, they are just starting it get leaf buds at the bottom now, I posted a picture further up last night and on the plant in the corner you can just seen them. I think I pinched mine out lower down though, after the second set of leaves maybe?
So I wouldn't worry, but no doubt David will be around later to tell you more as he is the expert
Brilliant thank you Orchid Lady.
So I probably just need to be patient and they will be alright.
Last year I started too late and they never flowered, so hopefully will do a little better this year. Every year one less thing dies on me.
Probably about right Owen yes, if it's any different I'm sure David will advise.
Owen - I agree OC.....you don't seem to have anything to be concerned about. For sure you are not too late this year and seem on course for some beautiful flowers.
As I've said before, I've never used toilet roll middles for sowing and appreciate that they are biodegradable. However, it concerns me that if the whole tube isn't planted the full depth of the tube & below the surface....the exposed top will not rot and may syphon water away from the young plants.
While I'm here, I would just like to say this on the subject of the hardiness of sweet peas. Many, many times mine have been frozen solid in their pots and the compost rock hard, with the young seedlings flopped over. BUT, as soon as the weather warms-up again & the compost thaws out, they recover & are soon standing upright again.
That's excellent news David. Thank you very much. Feeling a lot more optimistic now.
By the way, I did plant the toilet rolls fully below the surface so hopefully that won't be a problem. Not sure where to source the proper root trainers from in this country (Switzerland).