Sweet Peas

Hello...Can any one tell me how to grow sweet peas long enough to pick,I grew some for the first time this year,and they would have fit nicely into an egg cup!! Also which do you think are the most fragrant?

 

Some varieties grow taller than others, you may have bought a dwarf variety... I've been told that if you pinch out the clinging tendrils then the flowers will be longer stemmed, but didn't try it myself.
I grew three free packets and all are nicely scented, but if you look through the descriptions on this site, some are described as 'intensely fragrant', and some say 'suitable for cut flowers':
http://www.seeds-by-size.co.uk/swepea98.htm
Hope this will help!

 

Thanks for the advice,pick off the tendrils mmmm do I have that sort of patience?..Ok I will try.

 

Also thanks for the web site,never knew there was so may varities,wonderful!!

 

I hae grown sweetpeas for many years I think they are lovely but this year they have been a disaster. I dont know what I hae done wrong as I have just done the usual thing. They were a poor show so I pulled them all out - I would love to know what I have done wrong this season.Jazz :( :confused:

 

my sweet peas have both long stems and short stems on the plant. I usually prick out the tendrils too. Maybe it's just your luck as to the length of the stems Dillydo

 

Last year I planted 2 small Russian Vines on my back fence they have certainly grown but on he bottom leaves they are all spotted brown and the leaves are brown. The upper leaves are a lovely green and I wonder what is causing this can anyone give me some advice please Jazz :confused: :confused: :confused:

 

Jazz - I think the answer to your first question, why the sweet peas didn't do well, is simply the heat. They like a mildish weather, and need to keep their roots damp. It was blistering hot at the peak sweet pea time.

I don't know if this is of any help, but I find you can bolster the plants by pinching out the leader when the plants are showing the second set of leaves - literally just pinch out the top set down to the older leaves. This starts two new shoots, both of which will bear blossom.

I find that the early flowers on my plants will be on shorter stems, with smaller flowers. As the plant matures, the stems and the flowers also also grow larger. The trick for me is to be sure to pick very regularly and not to let the plant go to seed.

Jazz, have you really planted Russian Vine? The vine with heart shaped leaves and white bell blossom? For most people this is a pernicious weed. It is almost impossible to get rid of and very very invasive. Hope it is not too close to a neighbours boundary, and what ever you do, don't add it to your compost! It'll be everywhere in your garden. Yikes!

 

I agree with your heat theory, Rumple. I start my Sweet Pea seeds off in November and have them blooming in the Spring before our heat hits us.

My autumn Freesias also bloom in February-April here on their own accord and have doubled / even tripled in quantity since I planted them a couple of years ago.

 

Thank you Rumple for your reason why my sweet peas flopped this year - I did not think the heat would have effected them so badly as I kept them well watered with it being so hot but not when the sun was on them. The Russian Vine is on the back fence of my garden and does not encroach on anyone elses fence. In front I have paving flags - surely it will not grow on the pavings. I can easily keep it under control as the fence is only 5ft high and is within easy reach for me. If it does grow too big I will cut it back and put it in the garden bin. Anyway thank you for your sound tip and I will certainly keep my eyes on it. Jazz

:rolleyes:

 

Hi Rumple what has occured to me since reading your reply Re: Russian Vine is why do Market Gardens sell this pernicious weed. That is what is puzzling me as the market garden where I bought these from assured me that they were ideal for a fence which you needed covering and they were not a plant that caused any dampness. I am really worried now as I had no idea I was buying weeds I have enough of them on my lawn. I do not have a compost heap in my garden it is purely green and flowers. Incidently the market gaden I bought the Russian Vine from is one of the largest in the North East. Anyway thanks again for your help

Jazz :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

 

hi JAZZ. YEARS AGO I bought a russian vine to cover my shed roof. at the time I liked the flowers didnt know it was rampant. I cut it down to root level but the following year it was like the devil it came back with a vengence. I had it removed :D :D

 

Hi Rumple I have read your reply with interest you say you had it removed. Did specialist gardeners remove it. I am now very worried.

Jazz P.S. I cannot understand why garden centres sell russian vine if it is such a threat to the garden.

:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

 

I cut it down to below ground level ND PUT A BLACK PLASTIC BAG OVER IT AND THEN PUT 2 bricks on the bags and left it there for a year.

 

Presumably Fancy you have had an experience with russian vine I am quite worried now, although where mine is it is not near my actual planting area. There is a good patio area and surely this plant cannot get through concrete or can it? It is only a young plant that the garden centre assured me it was ideal for the fence, however people who have experienced having this climbing plant know better. Thank you for your reply Jazz :confused: :