I've had several pots of sweet peas in the cold frame with the lights propped up since October. They are self saved seeds and I pinched out the tops when they were about 4" high. They looked sturdy enough to go out so I made a couple of wigwams in the front border and planted them around the supports.
I still have bought seed to sow in March but I thought I'd give the self-saved a go. They came from blue flowers. I'll be interested to see what colour they flower!
Speaking of peas, I decided to get out the seeds of my crossed pea. A couple of years ago I crossed some Lancashire Lad (heritage purple flowered and podded) peas with Oregon Sugar Pod, a green mangetout. It would be great to find a home-bred purple sugar pod amongst the offspring! The seeds here seem to be divided broadly into 2 groups, a paler green pea and a smaller, darker pea with purplish markings. I sowed a big pot of each so we'll see how it pans out.
It was a mild morning (which is why I felt like planting out the sweet peas) so I put on the elderly fleece jacket that I use for gardening when it's not too cold. I put my hand in my pocket and pulled out the lily seeds above. I had collected the pods in November when they were splitting and looked ripe, popped them in the pocket and forgotten them completely. I shall hang on to them for a month or so and try growing some of them on.
I still have bought seed to sow in March but I thought I'd give the self-saved a go. They came from blue flowers. I'll be interested to see what colour they flower!
4 comments:
The sweet pea plants look terrific and a great advert for cold-frames. How will you protect them if the weather gets disgusting again?
I'm sure it will Bilbo. They are very hardy though - you can sow them in situ in September/October if you are organised enough!
My sweet peas are sprawling rather than climbing. I may have to tape them to the supports! Yours look lovely.
I usually have to tie them in before they get the hang of climbing!
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