Sweet pea and winter sun question

Hi .. I've recently sowed sweet peas for the since most sites recommend to sow them at autumn. However due to the 'angle' of the sun - there's no place in my garden that gets direct sun anymore (trees and houses are blocking them now) and I've noticed that the sweet pea seedlings look kinda leggy (about 4 inches now with the leaves still close).

Is this normal or do I need to do something like add flourescent lights or something.
This is actually the first time I've sown seeds in autumn as I've always sown in spring for other summer annuals and planted bulbs for spring color. Should I even be worried about the sweet peas or is this expected ? I can't really imagine a lot of people having full sun in their garden in autumn and winter for their sweet peas :D So I'm not sure if full-sun is needed while they are seedlings. I will plant them in a spot that receives full sun but it starts around March.

 

Hi Pards,

No it doesn`t need any extra help. I also sow all my sweetpeas in October-mine have been in around a week or two now. I have mine in my greenhouse, which is unheated and not placed well. It get s some evening sun but that`s it. I used to do them in a cold frame and they did well there too. They only need to be frost free. They are tough little crackers and they will be fine so worry not-they will put on a dazzling show next year.

 

I'm planning to cut mine back to 2 leaves once the third leaf has developed - to make them bush-up a bit, but mine are sown in pots in the greenhouse, not outside.

Pictures might explain it better! Have a look half way down this page:

http://www.eaglesweetpeas.co.uk/Instuctions.htm

 

Thanks for the reply. The thing I'm worried about is that I don't think they get any direct sun at all. The seedlings haven't opened their leaves yet but from the bottom of the plant up to the first set of 'unopened' leaves - the stem is already about 4-5 inches and quite thin.

Anyway - I'll try to see this weekend if they get some sunshine in the morning. I just moved to this house last Jan. so I'm not really familiar with where the 'winter' sun shines through

 

Hi All
Do sweet peas require much watering during the winter,if i sow them now and leave them in an un- heated greenhouse would they go dormantish and so during jan ,feb,into march not require much in the way of care ? :cnfs:,

 

Unless its a sunny, warm, day I doubt you will need to water them more than twice a week at present, probably only once a week in December / January.

Pick up the pot and see if it feels "light" and if so it needs watering.

I avoid watering in the evening so they don't have cold, wet, feet during the cold of the night.