Problems with sweet peas

Robmarston · May 2016

hi. I have grown sweet peas every year without any problems. This year however, they don't seem to want to grow. I have planted them in the ground in some new places and also where I planted them before. They look dry and pale and have white holes over them. I have bought new plugs and the same has happened. I have some in a pot in another location and they're doing fine? Can anyone tell me what's wrong?

KT53 · May 2016

Could it simply be down to the comparatively cold weather we've had so far this year? Maybe they'll improve as temperatures rise.

fidgetbones · May 2016

Did you harden them off before planting out? Bought in plugs have often come straight out of a greenhouse.

Fairygirl · May 2016

With the fluctuating weather this spring, you need to have good sturdy little plants to plant out. If they weren't, they'll struggle, especially if they're exposed to cold winds and wild, wet weather. That sounds the most likely scenario Rob. As fidget says, those plugs are grown in protected environments.

Direct sown seed will be fine, flowering slightly later than a bigger plant in the ground just now, so you'd probably be better buying some seed and getting them in.

Robmarston · May 2016

You could be right, but I replaced some just last week and the same happened to them...

Fairygirl · May 2016

Is the ground you're planting into unsuitable, or the site they're in? They need good rich moist soil so if the potted ones are ok, it suggests the ground isn't right. Do you have any photos Rob? That might help with a diagnosis

Robmarston · May 2016

This is what they look like. I don't think it's the soil as this is where they were planted last year. This photo is of the ones I planted out last week.

Fairygirl · May 2016

That's pest problems Rob. They've been eaten quite a bit - slugs and snails have done that. There's a bit of leaf miner damage which is the whiter bit. That won't stop them developing, it just looks unsightly. I take dead leaves off.

With a bit of luck they'll survive, but try and keep a look out for slugs especially - they love the nice fresh foliage. Make sure the soil has plenty of oomph - if you can add some extra compost and a general fertiliser like Blood, Fish and Bone that will help. They need a lot of nutrition to give their best, especially if you have other plants nearby which compete for food and water

Robmarston · May 2016

Thanks fairygirl. I think I'll get the slug pellets out. It's just odd we didn't have any problems last year. My runner beans have been eaten too!

Fairygirl · May 2016

We've had fewer slugs than usual this year as we had cold but dry weather at the right time to kill a lot off! They can devastate plants so quickly.

Might be worth getting some seeds and pushing a few in around the ones you've got as a back up

Robmarston · May 2016

I took your advice. I thought it was too late for seeds but I've planted some in pots in the greenhouse.

Problems with sweet peas

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