Bolted Sweet Peas.

Martin99 · March 2017

Hi,

I'm growing sweet peas from seed for the first time this year. I planted the seeds in pots, indoors, about a month ago.

They've all grown well but seem to have bolted, probably due to lower than ideal light levels. Can I somehow save them, or should I just cut my losses and start again as it's still relatively early?

Thanks

Martin.

Ladybird4 · March 2017

Martin, it is a little difficult to say without seeing a picture but from your description I would start again.

Fairygirl · March 2017

I'd agree. You need to keep pinching them out to keep them bushy, if you're going to sow that early and keep them indoors without enough light.

They're hardy plants and don't need as much cossetting as most people give them. Tough love is what's required to get strong plants

Martin99 · March 2017

Morning Ladybird4 and Fairygirl,

Thank you both for you're help and advice.

I started pinching them out as soon as the second pair of leaves formed, but the stems are now so flimsy they can't even support their own weight. Sad as I'd found some seeds I really liked the look of. Oh well, every cloud has a silver lining .... sounds like a perfect excuse for another trip to the garden centre!

Regards

Martin.

Ladybird4 · March 2017

Martin so some good has come out of it.

Fairygirl · March 2017

It's all a bit of a learning curve Martin. Hope you get something you like and have a bit more success. Work with your climactic conditions too. In a colder area, it's best to sow a bit later as the plants will be slower to start growing on well. In a warmer area, it's easier as they'll get going more quickly. Sometimes it's just a question of using a bit of judgement with the timing of sowing.

I tend to sow direct in April. Earlier sown plants often just sit and sulk here when they're planted out as it's too cold for them to do much growing. The direct sown ones catch up anyway.

hogweed · March 2017

Try and cut them off at about the four inch point and move them into good light. You never know.

Fairygirl · March 2017

In addition to hogweed's advice, you could also try potting them on and burying slightly deeper. They won't form roots from higher up (the way tomatoes do) but it will help stabilise them. You might get some success so that they're not completely wasted. The weak stems are caused by poor light levels and too much warmth. It's another issue if sown early and inside. Germination is slower that way and creates a stronger plant. They only need protection from rough wet, windy weather over winter.

Still sow more as well though

Martin99 · March 2017

Thank you for your helpful advice, I'll give it a go and see what transpires. I've already moved them outside for cooler conditions where they'll hopefully be happier.

As you say Fairygirl, it's a learning curve. Being a complete novice the temptation is to go softly, softly and over protect them. I'll be a bit tougher on the second batch!

Regards

Martin.

Fairygirl · March 2017

It's easy to be over protective about them Martin, but they're better if allowed to germinate slowly in cooler conditions, and with enough light to stop them getting etiolated.

I think it's also an easy mistake to make because so many seeds can be sown in autumn, and that can often be a little misleading because it tends to suggest the plants need more protection than they do. Sweet peas are pretty tough so it's more about timing and what conditions you have too. Another thing to remember is that if you sow in autumn, or late winter, don't use multi purpose compost. Use seed compost as it has less nutrients and will stop them growing too quickly. Sowing from March onwards, MPC is fine.

I hope you get another batch going soon and get the results you want. Try sowing a few directly into the soil or bigger pots, and see which method works best for you too .

Bolted Sweet Peas.

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