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Leggy sweet peas???

Polly 5Polly 5 Posts: 28
in Problem solving

Hi , I plants some "everlasting " sweet peas a couple of weeks ago, I didn't expect to see anything for a few weeks, blow me they germinated but now they're very leggy.

I always start sweet peas in toilet rolls. These are on the window sill, they get plenty of light and its warm but not overly so. They do have proper leaves on but the stems are so spindely-any advice would be great.

Posts

  • pinkquartetpinkquartet Posts: 88

    Hi there.look at the thread called growing sweet peas by DavidK.The latest post is on page 7 tonight.It tells you everything you need to know.It sounds like they are too warm.

  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 14,602

    However much light plants are getting from a window sill at this tim of year it is unlikely to be enough, with short days etc.. Sweet peas do not need heat, a cold greenhouse is adequate.

    I would pinch out the tops which will make them branch from the bottom and may stop them getting more leggy.

    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 86,903

    Everlasting sweet peas Lathyrus latifolius are different from the more usual sweet peas - they are cottage garden plants and very hardy and perennial.  You cut them down in the autumn and they will grow again next year.  Sadly they don't have the marvellous scent of Lathyrus odoratus. 

    They are too warm and aren't getting enough light - they will do much better outside, but as they've been indoors so far they will need a bit of shelter out there until they harden off.  Have you got a cold greenhouse or cold frame they can go in?

    Pinching out the tips is a good idea. image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Lancashire LassLancashire Lass Posts: 367

    Pinching out the tips will make them bushy but there is no reason why you shouldn't cut them down to a couple of strong leaves a few inches down the stem, they will still bush out and cutting them right down prevents them getting tangled up in each other over Winter.

    Like everyone else is saying, a cold frame or greenhouse is the best place for them to grow.

  • Polly 5Polly 5 Posts: 28

    DOH !!! It didn't even cross my mind about the "everlasting " variety. I will pinch the tops out and gradually harden them off-oh! and perhaps buy some more seed.

    Thank you so much for the replies-I won't make that mistake againimage

  • cairnsiecairnsie Posts: 388

    I don't know about the everlasting ones but the annual ones need to be in a cool environment my first batch last year went leggy as I left them in the house too long. I would shove them in a cold frame now

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