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Post by Rosefriend on Jul 11, 2009 13:52:33 GMT
Within a week my very long stemmed sweetpeas have now got stems under half what they did have and if it carries on I can use an egg cup as a vase.
I know that they gets shorter in time but it seems to have happened all of a sudden - could it be because the temperatures have dropped badly. We are getting enough water, that's for sure - over 60litres/sqm in the last few days, and I am still feeding them??
RF
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Post by jean on Jul 11, 2009 17:55:00 GMT
The stems get shorter and shorter after the first flowers RF, if you keep deheading them after a couple of days they will still look lovely out in the garden  |
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Post by Rosefriend on Jul 11, 2009 18:04:07 GMT
Thanks Jean - they have been a dream this year but the drastic change made me unsure.
RF
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Post by Ladygardener on Jul 11, 2009 18:40:37 GMT
Some of mine, the darker ones in particular have now shorter stems but I have lots of tiny vases Rf, saved jars. ;D
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Post by Rosefriend on Jul 12, 2009 7:05:30 GMT
Here's another question for all you sweetpea experts then...
At some point they are going to stop flowering - can I cut them back by a third/half and let them grow again, and will they flower again?? They are very tall already and it would be easier for me if they didn't get any higher.
RF
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Post by Ladygardener on Jul 12, 2009 7:47:12 GMT
That's a good question Rf but I don't know the answer. It would be very brave of you to take the chance but I must admit I've thought of doing it myself. When I came back from Lancaster I bent over one lot of mine as I don't have enough for them to climb up. I've tried to do it without breaking them in half. They're doing ok for the moment. Next year I'm going to get a proper climbing frame for them. It will be interesting to see if anyone has cut them back as you're suggesting.
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Post by andy on Jul 12, 2009 14:56:57 GMT
I'm no expert by a long chalk but i've cut mine back by half in the past, fed them well and despite having very few flowers for a few weeks, they did come good again for late summer.
Got the same probs as everyone else now...very short stems and where i haven't been in the garden for a few days due to the weather, lots of dead heading to do too.
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Post by Rosefriend on Jul 12, 2009 17:30:04 GMT
Lovely Andy, thanks. I will chop them off then - if the stems get any shorter I won't be able to pick them anyway.
RF
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Post by Missredhead on Jul 12, 2009 20:29:45 GMT
I came home after a weekend away and there were loads of flowers...the most that I have seen so far...they are now in a couple of vases.
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Post by farmersboy on Jul 13, 2009 6:20:09 GMT
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Post by Dutchy on Jul 13, 2009 19:29:05 GMT
My Lord Nelson SP are romping away as well now but there are some in there that have a hint of red. Funny as all are supposed to be the same dark blue. Maybe the seed people were a bit careless? Anyhow I am glad they are at it again. I love the smell of a bunch of SP in the morning Can't pick enough of them  |
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Post by Tig on Jul 14, 2009 14:52:22 GMT
Some of mine seem to have decent sized stems again - no idea why, last week they seemed to be about 6" long, but this morning a few were about 10", still going strong and smelling great .. just need a spell in the dark to get the flea beatles out of them   |
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Post by Missredhead on Jul 14, 2009 17:58:56 GMT
Some of mine seem to have decent sized stems again - no idea why, last week they seemed to be about 6" long, but this morning a few were about 10", still going strong and smelling great .. just need a spell in the dark to get the flea beatles out of them Beautiful colours Tig...  |
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Post by Chuckles on Jul 14, 2009 18:23:56 GMT
Well my SP's have been a disaster this year, don't know why but they have. I have enjoyed seeing everyone elses though |
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Post by farmersboy on Jul 14, 2009 19:08:13 GMT
Some of mine seem to have decent sized stems again - no idea why, last week they seemed to be about 6" long, but this morning a few were about 10", still going strong and smelling great .. just need a spell in the dark to get the flea beatles out of them Yes they are beautiful,well worth a  |
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Post by Tig on Jul 14, 2009 22:54:36 GMT
Thank you so much both for the nominations! Very surprised to get them, especially as the sweetpeas are in my 'recycled' vase (french dressing bottle  ) x Tig |
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Post by Ladygardener on Jul 15, 2009 5:29:28 GMT
Some of mine seem to have decent sized stems again - no idea why, last week they seemed to be about 6" long, but this morning a few were about 10", still going strong and smelling great .. just need a spell in the dark to get the flea beatles out of them Great colours and lovely long stems. Well done Tig. I've got several of those recycled vases. i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/smiley.gif |
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Post by Missredhead on Jul 15, 2009 13:08:58 GMT
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Post by Chuckles on Jul 19, 2009 18:06:32 GMT
Not had such a good year with my SP's  1st few I've picked and they really are a few Note the posh vase, it's a spice jar ;D I needed something small to put them in and that is just the right size.  |
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Post by Missredhead on Jul 19, 2009 19:58:34 GMT
another posh vase.......very nice ;D
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Post by Chuckles on Jul 19, 2009 21:35:51 GMT
another posh vase.......very nice ;D It's better than the SP's ;D |
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Post by Ladygardener on Jul 20, 2009 8:58:55 GMT
Oh Tig I've just realised the  did'nt come up for your sp, it's still in time 'tho sorry. It may be a small bunch Chuckles but they're lovely. Having picked them I'm sure you'll get loads more. |
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Post by Barbara on Jul 21, 2009 15:11:15 GMT
 my SPs. |
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Post by Barbara on Jul 21, 2009 15:12:30 GMT
 they smell divine. |
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Post by Tig on Jul 21, 2009 22:40:22 GMT
Thanks LG for the nom on my recycled vaseful .. they do have the most beautiful scent don't they Barbara, I might pick some more and put them by my PC tomorrow x Tig |
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Post by Rosefriend on Jul 28, 2009 13:49:24 GMT
Just as I was going to cut my SP's back thy seem to want to flower again and although the stalks are a lot shorter they are longer than they were. I have 3 vases full in the house and one also by my PC , on my printer....they smell gorgeous.  RF |
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Post by Missredhead on Jul 28, 2009 18:15:12 GMT
mine seem to have ground to a halt...lots of buds but they keep dropping off..have fed and watered them but don't know whats wrong..
BTW I have a calender just like that one ;D
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Post by Ladygardener on Jul 28, 2009 18:22:54 GMT
Those are looking great Rf. Did you not cut them down a bit then, just left them did you.? I have a couple of vase fulls every couple of days, they're still doing well too although I've noticed a few of them are definately getting shorter stems too. The scent is still lovely is'nt it. |
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Post by Tig on Jul 28, 2009 23:02:07 GMT
Picked some more from mine today and quite a lot of the spring sown ones were less than 5" stems, but the ones sown last year are still over 8" but that could be down to the varieties I suppose? Wonder who will manage to pick the last bunch of the season? ;D Just an ickle challenge  x Tig |
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Post by Spruance on Jul 28, 2009 23:22:07 GMT
The stems do tend to grow shorter as the season progresses. The problem now with ours is that they are covered in flea beetles. |
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1st few I've picked and they really are a few 
