Transplanting peas - would splitting them be a bad idea?
January Man
Posts: 212
Hi again
It was only after starting my pea seeds off in tray modules that I read that they do not like root disturbance and should therefore not be transplanted. At least that seems to be what some folk say. Others say they'll be fine. There's lots to read and watch about that...
...but what I could not find an answer to is whether it is best to thin them or separate them? I put in two seeds per module and every one of them has come up. I need a lot and so would prefer to keep all of them. But that would mean not only transplanting but also separating them as well. Is this likely to cause too much root disturbance and hurt or kill the plants? Would I be better of choosing the strongest of each pair and thinning the other? Or should I just go for it?
Thoughts, opinions and experiences gratefully received - as ever 
Ta
Max
Posts
Hi Max. Hubby is the pea grower here, he sows into loo roll tubes (2 seeds in each) and plants the whole lot out, tubes and all.
I think you're supposed to pinch out the weakest one, but he never does and they seem to grow just fine. I'd plant yours out whole rather than going through the hassle of untangling the roots. You can buy proper root trainers for peas that clip together and open easily to get the seedlings out.
We're sticking with the cheapo loo rolls
. Using them gives the extra depth for the roots and they simply rot away when planted out. They can get a bit mouldy on the outside, but that's never caused any problems with our plants.
I've just made up a tray to show what I mean. Our peas are planted out now, it's too rainy to go out and take a snap, sorry ☔
Good luck ?
Thanks Kitty - that's great help and advise. I think I'll try that next time for sure. And you can't beat a bit of recycling. Is the brown tray box thing from mushrooms? We always save our mushroom trays/boxes and I'm so glad we do now because they have been a massive help with all that's we've got growing (you may have noticed that's what my tomato plant pots were sitting in in the other thread).
Cheers, an hope the rain passes quickly
We've been luck so far and it has pretty much missed us here in North Norfolk.
Yes, I'd spotted the mushroom trays Max
. I've got stacks of them here 
. Much cheaper than fancy plant saucers.
Nipped out for a quick snap now the rain has eased off. He hasn't even buried them completely
(I'm not interfering....peas are his one and only gardening thing)
He has one 6ft fence panel for growing and it's chock-a-block with peas.
The rest of the garden is mine, all mine
. 
Thank you Kitty - I was smiling while I read through that
Last edited: 12 May 2017 14:08:21