Sweet peas have a long tap root that doesn't like disturbance, you would do better to sow them in root trainers, or toilet roll tubes for cheapness, only one to a pot, you can then plant them out without disturbing the long roots. They don't need heat they are very hardy, can be sown in Autumn, not that I do. You could sow three to a flower pot and plant the whole lot out together.
if you sow in a seed tray you are going to have to pot on, so be very careful. They need pinching out, so you get a bushy plant rather than a leggy one.
Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor.
If I haven't sown Sweet Peas in the autumn, then I sow them in March as they can get spindly without enough light. They don't need warmth from a propagator, that can make them grow up too fast, which will also make them spindly. I sow them on a window sill in loo rolls or 3 to a flower pot, like Lyn, as they need room for their long roots which don't like to be disturbed.
I put autumn sown ones outside in a cold frame. They are hardy and don't need mollycoddling.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
I agree with Lyn and BL. Sweet peas are better sown later (if they haven't been sown in autumn) and kept cool so that they germinate slowly and become sturdy plants to plant out. You'll need to keep pinching them out or they'll be very leggy with all that warmth. Deeper pots too as has been said. I do the 'two or three to a pot' method and plant the whole thing out, or sow direct in April.
Keep the propagator for things that really need the warmth Peter. All a learning curve though
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
One of the best things to do with a heated propagator over winter is to root hardwood cuttings. I find they really, really appreciate the bottom heat and took more than a dozen cuttings from a callicarpa last winter, expecting 2 or 3 to 'take'. Every single one rooted and had to give most of them away!
A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
Bee, from memory the sand was about 18C I think. I used a heated bench with the top removed so would leave the lid off if using a standard propagator for this type of use.
A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
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Sweet peas have a long tap root that doesn't like disturbance, you would do better to sow them in root trainers, or toilet roll tubes for cheapness, only one to a pot, you can then plant them out without disturbing the long roots. They don't need heat they are very hardy, can be sown in Autumn, not that I do. You could sow three to a flower pot and plant the whole lot out together.
if you sow in a seed tray you are going to have to pot on, so be very careful. They need pinching out, so you get a bushy plant rather than a leggy one.
There'll be no stoppin you now Peter
Congrats!
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
If I haven't sown Sweet Peas in the autumn, then I sow them in March as they can get spindly without enough light. They don't need warmth from a propagator, that can make them grow up too fast, which will also make them spindly. I sow them on a window sill in loo rolls or 3 to a flower pot, like Lyn, as they need room for their long roots which don't like to be disturbed.
I put autumn sown ones outside in a cold frame. They are hardy and don't need mollycoddling.
I agree with Lyn and BL. Sweet peas are better sown later (if they haven't been sown in autumn) and kept cool so that they germinate slowly and become sturdy plants to plant out. You'll need to keep pinching them out or they'll be very leggy with all that warmth. Deeper pots too as has been said. I do the 'two or three to a pot' method and plant the whole thing out, or sow direct in April.
Keep the propagator for things that really need the warmth Peter. All a learning curve though
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
hi, thanks for all the replies.
I did state earlier on that it really was just a practice run on how to use propagator and how to fill and water the trays.
It worked
nothing else getting started until end of March time.
itching to get started tho !!
I'm still learning new things every year Peter, with the help of the forum
I plant in loo rolls in March, same as Busy Lizzie, mine sit on conservatory windowsills.
One tip is to check your seed packets for the recommended germination temperatures. It's usually the half-hardy ones that need the extra warmth.
Nice to see you Lyn
One of the best things to do with a heated propagator over winter is to root hardwood cuttings. I find they really, really appreciate the bottom heat and took more than a dozen cuttings from a callicarpa last winter, expecting 2 or 3 to 'take'. Every single one rooted and had to give most of them away!
Bob,
That's a great idea .... what temperature did you set it to?
Thanks,
Bee
A single bee creates just one twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime
Bee, from memory the sand was about 18C I think. I used a heated bench with the top removed so would leave the lid off if using a standard propagator for this type of use.
Apologies Peter - I must have missed that you were 'trialling'. Need to go to Specsavers...
Good luck with your sowing when you go for it!
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...