Sweet peas are a frequent guest in flowerbeds and garden areas, and can delight the eye with a riot of color for a long time. The key is to know how to plant and care for them, what diseases they can tolerate, how to transplant seedlings without damaging them, and what propagation methods can be used when working with this plant.
Description of the plant
Sweet peas are commonly known as vetch. This plant, a member of the legume family, has thin, long stems up to 3 meters tall. The annual sweet pea is native to the southwestern regions of Italy. Domestication of the species dates back to 1699.
The annual sweet pea's robust root system makes it incredibly easy to grow, which is why gardeners appreciate it. Flowering continues from early June until the first serious frosts.
Classification by types
All varieties of annual sweet peas are divided into certain groups, each of which has a unique appearance, specific planting conditions, and plant care requirements.
Division into groups:
- SpencerThis variety has numerous branches and stems, which can reach 1.5-2 meters in height. It is distinguished by large inflorescences of 5-6 flowers with ruffled edges. The period from planting annual sweet pea seeds to the appearance of the first flowers takes up to 3 months.
- Spencer - earlyThe inflorescences are medium-sized, reaching 1.2-1.5 meters in height. After planting, flowering begins within 1.5-2 months. They are distinguished by their smooth petals.
- Cartbertson - floribundaThis cultivar is closely related to the 'Spencer' variety, the only difference being that they bloom earlier and are more tolerant of the scorching summer sun. Each inflorescence contains 5-7 flowers.
- GalaxyThese varieties reach 2 meters in height, their inflorescences are large and collected in a cluster shape.
- Multiflora – GiganteaSweet pea has two stems, huge flowers, and reaches 1.5 meters in height.
- BooksA low-growing variety of pea with numerous thin stems and a height of no more than 1 meter, it has a bright inflorescence consisting of 5-6 flowers.
- BijouThis species is even smaller than the previous one, growing to a height of 0.5-0.7 meters. The inflorescences are small, consisting of 4-5 flowers.
- CupidA miniature form of annual sweet peas grown from seed, they are ideal for planting on a balcony, loggia, or window.
- MamutThese varieties have strong stems up to 2 meters tall, large inflorescences, and a rapid flowering period of 1-1.5 months.
All varieties of sweet peas are good in their own way, so to speak, “for every taste”.
Advantages of sweet peas compared to other flowers
Climbing annual ornamental peas have a number of advantages that make them so beloved by gardeners and flower gardeners. Plant them in your flowerbed and they will delight you with a riot of color, as pictured.
Advantages:
- polka dots are an ideal option for landscape design; using them, you can decorate not only a flower bed, but also the walls of a house, a barn, a gazebo, and a fence;
- the plant is not afraid of frost and can easily tolerate temperatures down to 5 degrees below zero;
- Compared to other varieties of vines, sweet peas bloom very quickly;
- a large number of climbing stems create islands of shade;
- long flowering period (at least 3 months);
- Growing annual sweet peas from seeds can be done in open ground or in wooden boxes and pots;
- After cutting, it remains fresh for a long period.
The annual sweet pea is an easy-to-plant and easy-to-care-for plant; to make it bloom, you just need to plant it without putting in any special effort.
Planting and care recommendations
Growing annual sweet peas from seed is a natural method of propagation. There are two planting methods:
- transplanting;
- planting seeds in open ground.
Of these, preference is given to the second, since problems may arise when growing seedlings, and when transplanting into open ground, the root system and thin stems may be damaged.
Annual sweet peas (photo) don't require any special planting or care. All procedures are standard. The site for the peas should be prepared in advance. Till the soil, and add compost and phosphorus and potassium fertilizer to a depth of 15 cm.
The seeds should be soaked in boiling water and left to swell for 24 hours. Any seeds that float to the surface should be discarded; they are not suitable for planting. Place the remaining seeds on a water-soaked cloth and wait for them to germinate. The seedlings should be hardened off by periodically placing them in a cool place for 15-20 minutes.
Planting seeds and seedlings should be done in a cool, shady place, so that the plant is not exposed to direct sunlight.
Some people believe that planting and caring for annual sweet peas can be quite challenging. However, if you follow a few essential guidelines, the process will be much more straightforward:
- seeds should be planted directly into open ground, skipping the period of growing seedlings;
- The plant's seeds have a very dense shell, so in order for them to germinate, gardeners use some tricks: the seeds are soaked, rubbed with sandpaper, and the shell is cut;
- mature plants tend to break, they need to be planted along a fence, or vertical supports need to be installed and long stems tied to them;
- The plant's root system is powerful and goes deep into the ground, so it needs abundant and regular watering.
There's no single answer to the question of when to start planting sweet peas (annual). Before planting seedlings, it's important to thoroughly examine the conditions. growing the selected variety of peas, learn how it tolerates cold, the recommended temperature for seed germination, and choose a planting site and prepare it. Don't delay planting the seeds; sweet peas take a long time to germinate. It takes at least 2-3 months for the flowers to bloom.
The seeds are sown in April, placing them in peat pots, or in May directly into open ground.
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Sweet peas are fed three times per season:
- This is done when the stems begin to grow. Nitrophoska and urea are diluted in equal quantities (1 tablespoon each) in 10 liters of warm water.
- This is done starting when the first flowers appear. A tablespoon of potassium sulfate and Agricola-7 fertilizer are diluted in a 10-liter bucket.
- This is done during the flowering period. To do this, dissolve a tablespoon of "Rossa" and "Agricola for flowering plants" fertilizer in 10 liters of water. Apply the mixture at a rate of 3-4 liters per 1 m2.
The plant should be watered no more than once a week, but it should be given generously, at a rate of 30 liters per square meter. The most important thing is to find the "golden mean"—not to overwater or let the peas dry out. They enjoy ample watering but absolutely do not tolerate waterlogged soil. It is recommended to loosen the soil and weed around the plant at least 3-4 times per season.
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Peas are resistant to all diseases, the most common ones are:
- blackleg;
- downy mildew;
- brown spots.
Some species of weevils and aphids can harm the health of the plant.
Methods that will help get rid of diseases:
- Spraying with Topaz (one ampoule diluted in 10 liters of water) will help eliminate powdery mildew and downy mildew. Treatment can be done before and during flowering. Use up to 1 liter of the mixture per 8 m².
- The drug "Hom" will help get rid of "color diseases" - black leg and brown spot, at a rate of 40 g per 10 liters of water.
- The popular tablet "Iskra" can be used to combat insect pests; one tablet per 10 liters of water is sufficient. Fitoverm is a prototype; 2 ml of the product is diluted in 1 liter of water. One liter of solution can treat an area of 10 m.
Don't worry too much; diseases are extremely rare in this plant species. They adapt well to their environment.
Popular varieties
Sweet peas are divided into classes: tall, medium, and low. Let's look at which varieties belong to each class.
Tall:
- Spencer. 'Aristocrat' with a cloyingly sweet scent and white and pink flowers, 'Sir Charles' with scarlet-hued flowers, 'Sir Arthur' with delicate lilac petals, and 'Formula of Love', a variegated display of colors.
- Galaxy. 'Milky Way,' 'Alice,' 'Cremona,' 'Neptune.' All are distinguished by large inflorescences with ruffled flowers up to 5 cm in diameter.
Medium-sized varieties include: ‘Lummer’, ‘Continenta’, ‘Jet Set’, ‘To the 850th Anniversary of Moscow’.
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The low-growing group includes the following varieties: 'Mammoth,' 'Cupid,' 'Billo,' and 'Fantasy' (dwarf pot). This group is used to create colorful carpets.
It's best to cut sweet pea flowers at dawn, while the air is still cool. After cutting, the flower buds do not open, so wait until all the flowers have bloomed. A bouquet of sweet peas can last up to two weeks. The plant is perfect for decorating gazebos, hedges, and building walls.