Hi everyone I'm looking for some advice on sweet peas. I am growing them for a forthcoming wedding (6 weeks time) but they are peeking too early. They are in a polytunnel on frames and are hitting 6 foot tall, all flowers have been removed as they form but I think they will run out of growth long before they are needed. I'm tempted to cut a foot of the top and let them form new side shoots does anyone know whether this would work and if the resulting flowers would be any use ie not all short stemmed and piddly. Grateful for any help with this one.
Hello, Clive….sorry you find yourself in this situation (as if weddings aren’t stressful enough at the best of times). It’s easy to be clever with the benefit of hindsight, but I feel you could have been where you wanted to be with this, without the poly-tunnel. Had your seed been sown last October & overwintered in a coldframe, then planted out in mid-March, They would have been on schedule for your late June wedding.
Not sure I would be keen on your plan to cut off their heads. If they have only started to flower recently, I see no reason why they shouldn’t be in their prime by late June…I base this on the fact that when my own start flowering in mid-May, they are at their best in mid-July…..8 weeks approx. Certainly be diligent by cutting regularly until the big day.
The shorter stems you fear should not be a problem before early August.
For he record, Monty will be planting out his March sown sweet peas in tonight's GW (guess he will be cutting in late July) this coincides with my cutting the first flowers from my October sown seed.
I post this to illustrate that there are advantages to sowing your seed in the autumn.
Thanks David will hope for the best although not too sure what will happen when they run out of frame. Will definitely try an autumn sowing using some seed from your suppliers for next year. I grow sweet peas every year but outside, the tunnel has been a new experience. It's been interesting reading how you get the show standard results and will look forward to next year.
Clive, I have to say that on this occasion, your poly-tunnel isn't doing your any favours. When I said in my previous message that your flowers should be alright for the big day, I was thinking more along the lines of them being outside.....of course, your poly-tunnel will be pushing the calculation forward.
I know growers use poly-tunnels regularly to ensure blooms for specific dates such as the Malvern Spring Show and even Chelsea on some occasions and they do offer the added advantage of blooms being undamaged by weather.......but for blooms required between June & August, autumn sown seed as described earlier is all that's required.
For a special occasion between July & September, March sowings would be appropriate.
Posts
Hi everyone I'm looking for some advice on sweet peas. I am growing them for a forthcoming wedding (6 weeks time) but they are peeking too early. They are in a polytunnel on frames and are hitting 6 foot tall, all flowers have been removed as they form but I think they will run out of growth long before they are needed. I'm tempted to cut a foot of the top and let them form new side shoots does anyone know whether this would work and if the resulting flowers would be any use ie not all short stemmed and piddly. Grateful for any help with this one.
David will be along to help you Clive! He's grown them to show standard so he'll know what to advise.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Glad you managed to post it on this thread Clive, I'm sure David will know the answer as I said on your OP
Hello, Clive….sorry you find yourself in this situation (as if weddings aren’t stressful enough at the best of times). It’s easy to be clever with the benefit of hindsight, but I feel you could have been where you wanted to be with this, without the poly-tunnel. Had your seed been sown last October & overwintered in a coldframe, then planted out in mid-March, They would have been on schedule for your late June wedding.
Not sure I would be keen on your plan to cut off their heads. If they have only started to flower recently, I see no reason why they shouldn’t be in their prime by late June…I base this on the fact that when my own start flowering in mid-May, they are at their best in mid-July…..8 weeks approx. Certainly be diligent by cutting regularly until the big day.
The shorter stems you fear should not be a problem before early August.
Hope this helps.
For he record, Monty will be planting out his March sown sweet peas in tonight's GW (guess he will be cutting in late July) this coincides with my cutting the first flowers from my October sown seed.
I post this to illustrate that there are advantages to sowing your seed in the autumn.
16/05/14
Thanks David will hope for the best although not too sure what will happen when they run out of frame. Will definitely try an autumn sowing using some seed from your suppliers for next year. I grow sweet peas every year but outside, the tunnel has been a new experience. It's been interesting reading how you get the show standard results and will look forward to next year.
Clive, I have to say that on this occasion, your poly-tunnel isn't doing your any favours. When I said in my previous message that your flowers should be alright for the big day, I was thinking more along the lines of them being outside.....of course, your poly-tunnel will be pushing the calculation forward.
I know growers use poly-tunnels regularly to ensure blooms for specific dates such as the Malvern Spring Show and even Chelsea on some occasions and they do offer the added advantage of blooms being undamaged by weather.......but for blooms required between June & August, autumn sown seed as described earlier is all that's required.
For a special occasion between July & September, March sowings would be appropriate.
PS. Would have a plan B.
The sweet pea Gwendoline grown to show standards.