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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2007 9:03:23 GMT
Hi everyone, just received my free 'Alan Titchmarsh' sweet peas from the Gardeners World program, which is a surprise in itself cos I never usually manage to get any of these! ;D ;D ;D Just a couple of questions though. I know that some are going to sow their sweet peas just now, but would it be safe here in Dundee? Its really cold just now, although the gh is managing to get up to about 20 during the day, Im not sure at night. If I do sow them now, what do I do, do I keep them in the greenhouse just now or sow in pots and protect outside and wait to see what happens? Theres only about 20 seeds as far as I can feel so I don't want to waste any of them. Also, Ive kept some of the seed from this years sweet peas, Ive no idea what they are, will they be ok to use again once dried out? Thanks Julz  |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2007 9:42:11 GMT
I think they'd be safe to sow now in either Root Trainers or or old toilet roll tubes. Last year I sowed mine about this time and then just left them in a cold frame although an unheated greenhouse is fine, making sure I pinched out the growing tip to stop them getting straggly and to encourage bushy growth. They should only be watered enough to stop them drying out, and I prefer to water mine from the bottom to ensure the roots get what they need.
As for this year's seeds, they should be fine to use. I would say the best thing in both instances is to sow some now and save some for sowing in the Spring in case anything should go wrong.
Hope that helps, but I'm sure you'll get a more expert opinion from someone else as I'm still a novice myself.
DG
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Post by Weeterrier on Sept 27, 2007 10:06:57 GMT
I'm in Glasgow, so I can offer some advice about the weather at least.  I tried Sweet Peas for the first time last year, and didn't expect much success, as I believed they might be difficult. I tried an autumn sowing. I soaked them overnight, planted them in individual fibre pots (root trainers are best, I believe, but I didn't have any) and kept them in the greenhouse. Germination was good, and fairly quick. I kept them in the unheated greenhouse all year, then planted them out in the spring. I used a paraffin heater if it was really cold, but that was for my Fuchsias. Sweet Peas are perfectly hardy I think. Sorry, don't know about the saved seeds. Hope you get more advice, and lots of lovely flowers too ;D |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 28, 2007 10:51:03 GMT
Thank you. I will sow a few just now but I think will keep the rest till the spring. Julz |
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