Kitchen Garden Forum

I have some sweetpea seedlings only about an inch or so high, leaves just about to unfold....I tell you I'm thrilled, never grown anything from seed before. (well only runner beans)
They are in peat pots, but are accumulating grey mould in places. I have seen a previous post from Carrie with same problem and realise this shouldn't have any detrimental effects on seedlings.
Standing on layer of grit was a suggestion that came up and I shall definitely do this next time.
My other question is, how advanced do seedlings have to be before being 'planted out' into permanent position?
Oh btw these are climbers which I'm hoping will eventually find their way up a wigwam.

Glory B

The mould is fairly normal on the top of wet compost or the side of the peat pots, just brush it off, is there plenty of light where the cuttings are?

With regard to planting out, wait till they are a good five or six inches high you will need a good dozen or more to climb up a normal size wigwam, or even more, they are slow growers till the stems thicken up then they are off, at the end of the season, let them go to seed and you have more seeds for next year.

Compo

Pinch them out at 5 pairs of leaves to aim to get three good side shoots before you plant out. Side shoots give much better flowers than the main shoot. Even if you only want one shoot, as used for showing, it should be a side shoot not the main shoot.

Good morning Compo and Geoff....thanks very much for advice.
I thought at first it was a silly question to ask, but I see I would have had no idea about the 'pinching out' for example, so again thank you both.
And Compo they do have a fair bit of light...they were in the garden when we had the warm spell, but back inside now...very cool down here in South-East.

Best wishes,
Glory B

Sweet peas are normally pretty hardy. I germinate mine in cold frames in the autumn and they then get moved out side in Feb/March.

They are happy with a bit of frost but dont like cold winds too much. Some are about 3 foot tall now and showing buds so they are not too far away now.

Mind you we are in the South, Sussex.

HTH

Jerry

Hi Jerry....sounds like I could be mollycoddling mine.
I'll have to get the whip out!

Glory B your asking for trouble if you mention whips, with this lot on hear.

Kind regards the Old Herbaceous.

Theres no fool like an old fool.

try keeping it moist

I put mine out this weekend!
They are about 5 inches-apparently according to my DH (who kills all plants) I spaced them to far apart!
GRRRR

treat them mean keeps them keen

jopsy wrote:I put mine out this weekend!
They are about 5 inches-apparently according to my DH (who kills all plants) I spaced them to far apart!
GRRRR

nah 5ins should be fine,i wouldn't worry

oh im not worrying!
its just dh thinks he knows best
jo n pegs

Hi. Jopsy,
Well doesn't he?

oldherbaceous wrote:Glory B your asking for trouble if you mention whips, with this lot on hear.

Kind regards the Old Herbaceous.

Theres no fool like an old fool.

Dear Old H....they don't call me Miss Whiplash 94' for nothing.

But seriously, thanks for all advice.

Glory B

I bought a little pot of sweet pea seedlings at the weekend. They are very crowded and about 3-4 inches high so I have planted some out already, is this too soon? Also I have a very sad honeysuckle in a pot which I have given plenty of water, some chicken pellets and some fresh compost over the top. I have planted the sweetpea seedlings round the pot to cover up the bare stems while waiting for the honeysuckle to revive. The pot is about 12 -14inches across and I have put in 6 round the base. is this enough or should I put some more in with them? There are quite a few left in the pot so I could put some more in if anyone thinks that would look better - don't know how big they get. It says they are dwarf ones - up to 4' high.