David K

BBC Archers Message-Board

Yes indeed! The Archers has been hanging on by its fingertips for a while, but has finally succumbed to the beeb’s desire to be rid of all message boards.

I feel particularly sad inasmuch TA has been part of my cyber life for more than a decade. However, I’m proud to have introduced & headed The Potting Shed to the forum, which has been successful & I know will be missed by many.

I won’t miss the beeb’s dictatorial style of moderation. This forum and other similar ones, prove that harmony can exist without heavy handed intervention of the hosts

The A to Z of TV Gardening

Figs, fencing & flower arranging......not for me this week. 

Growing Sweet Peas

debra kazalski wrote (see)

Hi David, I was hoping you would answer my post ,you know so much about sweet peas and I am trying not to mess up . so far so good.Thanks Debra

You'e very welcome, Debra.

It seems when people start out on sweet pea growing , they want to lavish care & attention on them and this is exactly the wrong thing to do. If subjected to warmth in the early stages they will become weak & drawn.

They are extremely hardy and will produce robust strong plants if they are not mollycoddled.

What's the weather like in your area?

Dare I say? Almost springlike here in Staffordshire today.

Growing Sweet Peas

debra kazalski wrote (see)

Hi all, I have started my sweet peas in loo rolls .Should I put them in darkness for them to germinate Thanks Debra

You  could cover them with a sheet of glass & a sheet of cardboard/newspaper over the top (just until the first few poke through) then remove it. But for an easy life, they will be just fine anywhere in temps of around 10C.

Growing Sweet Peas

Well to be honest, Bev, I don't usually grow mine in containers as they are very deep rooted and do much better in deeply dug soil in the garden. However, sometimes needs must. I have grown wigwams in he past of similar  dimensions, for that I have spaced the canes about 30cm apart & two plants per cane....this should give some basis to work it out.

Don't worry worry about them being on the thin side, they will soon bulk up when they are planted out & start growing properly.

Growing Sweet Peas

Yes, start them off now, Debra, with gentle heat (not more than 10C) a unheated spare bedroom is about right. Then outside in a cold frame or similar as soon as the poke through.

Growing Sweet Peas

Insomnia1973 wrote (see)

No worries. Mine are skinnier than that. Was hoping yours this year might look the same due to weather, but you say not. Ah well, at least they've come through. There's time yet!

I'm sure they'll be fine, Bex. pinching out the growing tip usually bulks them up.

Growing Sweet Peas

Insomnia1973 wrote (see)

David, have you got a picture of what your sweet peas look like now? I know you posted that picture earlier for guidance, but that is the picture you posted last year on page 2 of the thread. Would love to see this years now.

Bex, you're very observant. I plucked out the wrong pic from photo bucket. But to be honest, they look exactly the same.

Growing Sweet Peas

CurlyCarly wrote (see)

Before you start nipping folks, what do you make of this from the Black Country Society (http://www.blackcountrysociety.co.uk/articles/gardening/sweetpeas.htm)?

'If you plant the seed in a pot of good compost beginning of February, water well, cover with cling film keeping them at 60/65F., then when the plant has produced  six full leafs, cut them back so as to leave four leaves on the original plant, the piece you have cut off is extremely valuable since it contains the leader cell growth, in affect stem cells, dip this in hormone powder, and stand in a jar of water the hormone powder will stimulate growth to the extent that it will have a stronger root complex than the original plant, you do not have to use water you can plant direct into compost but you will not have the benefit of watching the root growth which takes 10 days, no other part of the Sweet Pea will allow cuttings. The most important thing is you must water the leafs every day until the roots appear'

Carly

Read the link, Carly. Some of the content is valid (IMHO) other bits are just twaddle.

It may be worth noting that when the growing tips have been nipped out, they can be potted-up and the rooting success rate is quite good....plants for free!

Carol Klein's, Life in a Cottage Garden

The A to Z of TV Gardening

Happy New Year

Left handed tape measure:

Growing Sweet Peas

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GW memories 1991

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