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Sweet pea failure

Flo7Flo7 Posts: 33
in Problem solving
Hi all, I have a problem with my sweet peas this year, they are shooting up, get very long, the stem thins out and the top leaves drop off. I started them off in multipurpose compost in root trainers inside, after shoots appeared they went out into the coldframe. Start from scratch?
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Posts

  • Mel MMel M Posts: 347

    I have had the same problem, mine just didn't seem strong enough. Never had this happen before. I used a mix of JI seed and multipurpose. Will have to try again.

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    If there's enough growth, you can pinch out the growing tips of the ones you have Flo.

    The problem with starting early is lack of light which makes plants leggy. You can also get rapid growth indoors without a decent enough root system to support it, then if you put them outdoors too quickly, a cold spell checks them. Did you pot them  into a bigger pot before putting them in the cold frame, or were they a bit small at that stage? 

    You might want to do some more and not overheat them initially so that they don't get so leggy. image

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Flo7Flo7 Posts: 33
    I think that might have been the issue, Fairygirl. What's the best approach now? Sow again, in the coldframe straight away, or again inside? Or wait till end of March when there's more light?
  • chickychicky Posts: 10,410

    I'm about to sow my first lot today, in the cold gH. I don't ever bring sweetpeas into the house and have always had success n the past

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    Do as chicky's doing Flo  image

    I usually wait a while, or sow direct in late April,  because our temps are lower so I can't get mine outdoors till much later if I sow now. It's just the timing.  image

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Flo7Flo7 Posts: 33
    Sounds good, even though I don't have greenhouse. Will a coldframe do (live in the Midlands)? Or is that too cold?
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    That will be fine  - it allows them to germinate slowly, which makes for sturdier plants. If you prefer, you could wait a few weeks, but they're hardy annuals, and will be fine. 

    We have a dedicated thread by DavidK for sweet peas where you can get loads of advice. He's our resident expert. I'll find it and bump it up for you. image

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Mel MMel M Posts: 347

    I think the cold was my problem although they are usually quite tough.

  • flumpy1flumpy1 Posts: 3,117

    image

     These took two weeks to germinate and now two weeks late they are shooting up image

  • Lupin 1Lupin 1 Posts: 8,916

    Flo7 check this thread out good info from David our Sweet peas guru.

    http://www.gardenersworld.com/forum/the-potting-shed/sweet-pea-know-how/820371-6.html

     

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