Do sweet peas need darkness to germinate?
SOWING: Transplant (recommended) – Sow 1/4- 1/2 deep (darkness is required for germination) into 72-cell flats or preferred deep-cell seedling container 4-5 weeks before planting out. Soak your seeds for 24 hours before sowing. This softens the seed coat and speeds the sprouting process by a few days.
Why did my sweet peas not germinate?
If you’ve ever had problems getting your sweet pea seeds to germinate, Simon of Garden of Eaden has a generous little trick to share. Because the seeds of traditional varieties have a natural dormancy period, you need to nick the seed coat gently with a knife, rub it with sandpaper, or give the seeds a good soak. Place one sweet pea seed per cell, about 2–3 cm deep. Cover gently with compost and tap the tray to level the surface. This spacing gives each seedling room to develop a sturdy plug root without competition.Sweet peas are easy to grow in any fertile soil that drains easily, in full sun. Feed weekly or fortnightly with a liquid fertiliser and ensure a regular supply of flowers by picking or deadheading.Root trainers are a brilliant way to achieve a long root run, giving your sweet peas the room they need to develop long, straight roots. Fill your modules with potting compost and sow 2 seeds 2-3cm deep into each one. Gently water and keep the root trainer somewhere indoors or in a greenhouse.Proper timing and technique is key to sowing sweet pea seeds. Here’s how to do it: The recommended sowing time is early October to mid November. Use deep pots like root trainers, about 12-15cm, so the roots can grow long and deep.In fact frequently these light coloured flower seeds need neither chipping nor soaking, but unless you know the colour of the sweet pea you are sowing it is better to give them a short soak for a few hours which will do no harm as long as they are patted dry afterwards on tissue paper or kitchen roll.
Will sweet peas germinate in a cold frame?
Sweet pea seeds germinate relatively easily. But you can help activate germination by nicking the seed coat with a knife, avoiding the ‘eye’ area. Either sow seed in 9cm pots (3 to a pot), in root trainers or trays. Sow the seed in a good quality, peat-free compost, and place in a cold frame or greenhouse. Sweet peas are heavy feeders so it’s important to amend the planting area. Work in compost or well-rotted manure (I used Purple Cow Compost), and a slow-release, natural fertilizer ( Happy Frog’s All purpose is a good one). I also add a light dusting of bonemeal to provide an extra boost of phosphorus.Prepare the Soil: Sweet peas thrive in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil. Loosen the soil to a depth of about 12 inches and mix in compost to enhance fertility. Soak Seeds: To speed up germination, soak seeds in water for 24 hours before planting.In mild winter climates, where the ground does not freeze, sweet pea seeds should be fall-sown directly into the garden from September through November to grow strong root systems and then bloom in spring.As a general rule of thumb, you should start your seeds inside about 6-8 weeks before your last expected frost. If you wait until after you have seen your last frost, you may be too late to plant and see a good result from your sweet peas.
Why are sweet peas so hard to grow?
Sweet peas have big and long root systems with a big and long taproot that grows deep. This is a good thing as far as the plant goes (helps them to establish themselves quickly and readily, even makes the vines pretty drought tolerant) but it can cause some difficulty when you’re starting them from seed. Sweet pea seeds germinate relatively easily. But you can help activate germination by nicking the seed coat with a knife, avoiding the ‘eye’ area. Either sow seed in 9cm pots (3 to a pot), in root trainers or trays. Sow the seed in a good quality, peat-free compost, and place in a cold frame or greenhouse.