Sweet Peas:

Grew them from seed in pots on window ledge in Summer house. Planted out when about a foot high as it was to cold before that. The sun shone so made an executive decision. Wrong one as usual. Very healthy when planted out but we got hit with a long cold spell and plenty rain. Still cold and rainy down here.

 

Hi @David K - yes it's me

My lum would still be reekin' - if I only had one...
Good to see you again.

 

Just coming into bloom on the allotment

 

Great stuff!!

 

First bunch of the year. Even this small amount fills the room with scent.

 

Gorgeous....well done!

 

Hello! I have a question for @David K, or anyone else who could answer my question.
I am growing sweet peas for the first time in a long time and am I right in thinking one has to nip off the top growth to encourage the plants to grow bushier? If so, how tall should they be before this is done, or does it depend on the number of leaves they have?
Mine are only a few inches long, some have three pairs of leaves, several have four.
Thank you.

 

I don't often pinch mine because they don't grow as quickly here as they do further south, so they would only be at the 4 to 5 inch height around mid May, but this year has been so warm so early on, that I pinched some of mine out a while ago. They had around 3 or 4 pairs of leaves, so it's certainly ok to do that if you want, but you could also try doing some and leaving others, due to the time of year. It's more important if you sow in autumn, as the plants can become quite leggy.

I tend to just grow more plants in one pot - ie several against each cane/support, rather than pinching out. That suits my conditions.

 

Thanks, @fairygirl. Mine are growing well, but the temperature has dropped to around 11C these last few days so maybe if I pinch them out it could set them back. I have all mine in one pot too and will use canes for support.
Each time I scroll past @Scroggin's gorgeous photo of his in a vase, I wish I could smell them!

 

Hi, Pattie. It would be beneficial if you nipped the growing tips of your sweet peas.
This will result in the production of strong side shoots that will produce more flowering stems.

 

As long as they're healthy and growing nicely, that temp isn't a problem at all. They're much hardier than people often think.
They'll put a spurt on when temps suit. Mine would normally still be very small at this time of year, but they grow on more quickly through June. Well into July before I get any flowers, unless I sow in autumn. The big advantage is - when they're slower at the start of the season, they carry on flowering until later in the year, when others in hotter, drier areas are often finished by late summer.

 

My first picking. These are an "old fashioned" mix:

 

That's fantastic, quite early, depending where you live/garden.

 

Thanks, @David K.

 

They're coming thick and fast now.