Sweet pea

Pixiechic

I bought an unhappy looking sweet pea plant in the sale at the garden centre. I have some space on one side of the trellis so thought I'd give it a go, I've never grown a sweet pea before.

It's been in the ground about a week and today it's looking better than it has done in ages . I gave it some blood, fish and bone a few days ago.

Reading online it says I need to pinch the tips out, I think by that stage the garden centre would have done it but not sure? Or should I continue to pinch the tips out?

The site I've read also says to remove the seed pods, do I do that when the plant is flowering or at a certain point?

(I did try and search but a username is sweet pea!)

Thanks

JJ_Egan

he site I've read also says to remove the seed pods, do I do that when the plant is flowering or at a certain point?

Thats as it flowers the flowers will die and produce a seed pod . Removing the seed pod gives you more flowers .
Seeds from a fully ripe pod can be saved for next year .
Pinch out once at the top of the plant . Pinch out later if you want to stop a growth to produce more growth further down ..

Biggest problem with Sweet Peas is they can dry out very quickly .

jje

Pixiechic

Thank you

This is what I read......

Pinch them out straight after planting so that they form bushy plants and then water them in well.
Water well if dry - using warm water from a can - until the sweet peas are mostly up the supports. However do NOT over water.
Regular picking, together with generous provision of food and water, will give a prolonged and colourful display.

Do you use warm water? I have just been using cold .

What does 'generous provision of food' mean? 1 sweet pea plant will need how much blood fish and bone and how often?

Mine hasn't yet started climbing...........

twiglet98

I prefer to use water from a water butt, or if using tap water, to fill the watering cans before I need them and leave them standing for a few hours, as the water is then warmer than straight from the cold tap.

Pixiechic

Thank you

djohn2002uk

You mention pinching "the tips out". If there are more than one tip it's already been done. By warm water from the watering can they mean water in the can that has been allowed to stand in the sun or in the greenhouse to warm up from the cold temperature from the mains, probably for as long as 24hrs.