As your seedlings grow they’ll start to become tall and leggy. Encourage them to produce side shoots by pinching out the tips of the plant. Simply nip off the top of the stem with your fingers, just above a set of leaves. This will make each plant much bushier and more robust.
How do you fix leggy sweet pea seedlings?
If you find yourself with leggy growth, nip out the top two leaves when you have four or more true leaves, to encourage bushy growth. When the risk of frost has passed, they’re ready to plant out: a sunny day in late March for those down south, sometime in April for those farther north.
Why are my sweet peas so leggy?
They are too warm and aren’t getting enough light – they will do much better outside, but as they’ve been indoors so far they will need a bit of shelter out there until they harden off. Have you got a cold greenhouse or cold frame they can go in? Pinching out the tips is a good idea.
Can you bury leggy seedlings deeper?
Can you bury leggy seedlings deeper in the soil? Generally, yes, you can plant leggy seedlings deeper in the soil to help compensate for the extra-long stems! However, avoid the temptation to plant them deeper right away, when they’re still very young and tender.
Can you save leggy seedlings?
Leggy seedlings can sometimes be saved by gently brushing your fingers back and forth along the tops of the plants every day. This simple motion simulates an outdoor breeze and tricks the seedlings into thinking they need to grow thicker stems to hold up against windy conditions.
How do you make sweet pea plants bushy?
To pinch sweet pea plants, wait until they are 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20.5 cm.) high. Take the growing tip between your forefinger and thumbnail and snip the growing tip off using your nail as your blade. Pinching out sweet peas will force the plant hormones called auxins to move to the side or auxiliary tips.
How do you revive sweet peas?
If you return from holiday and find the friends or neighbours didn’t pick enough and the plants have start to set seed, then do not despair! Instead, remove all flower stems, water and feed. This should hopefully revive the plants and they’ll start to bloom again.
Why are seedlings leggy?
Causes of Leggy Seedlings
Legginess is caused by a lack of sunlight or by light that is either too weak or indirect to meet the plant’s needs. The stems grow thin because the plant is desperately reaching its leaves towards the light.
Can you stop sweet peas growing too tall?
When the sweet peas have grown too tall for their supporting canes, untie all of them and lay the stems carefully on the ground, taking care not to snap the brittle stems. Next, re-tie stems to a cane further along the row, so the tip of the plant reaches about 30cm (12in) up its new cane.
Why have my sweet peas got short stems?
As side shoots develop they spread the energy, which may result in shorter stems and a smaller number of flowers. Having planted the sweet peas out in late April / May they will start flowering in late May / early June. We check the plants twice a week, continuing to remove side shoots and tendrils as they develop.
Can you cut back sweet peas?
Cutting back
Simply pull out and compost annual sweet peas once flowering has finished at the end of summer. In hot, dry seasons this might be a bit sooner.
Can you grow sweet peas indoors?
Sweet peas are hardy plants and can be sown indoors between October and March. To help germination you can soak your seeds in tepid water overnight, or place them onto damp kitchen paper until they plump.
Should sweet peas be pinched out?
Pinching out sweet peas is not required, but many gardeners choose to do so in order to keep sweet peas short and bushy. Others choose to pinch back sweet peas to stimulate the growth of numerous flower buds. Keep in mind that sweet peas are vining plants and can reach 6 to 9 feet tall.
What do you do with stretched seedlings?
Get some small pots ready and transplant the seedlings from their current home into a new pot (see Handling Stretched Seedlings, below), burying their long, skinny stems as far up as you can. Water them in well and get them under good strong light.
How do I make my seedling stem thicker?
You can also force seedlings that are too tall to grow thicker by brushing your hands over them a few times a day or placing an oscillating fan to blow gently on them for a few hours every day.
Will leggy plants survive?
If caught early, they can often be saved by being mindful of proper lighting, heat, and water levels. Starting out with those things in place is obviously the best practice. But if you find that your seedlings are leggy, making some simple adjustments can mean that even your leggy seedlings can survive, and thrive!
Why are my seedlings growing so tall?
“Legginess, or stretched seedlings, occurs basically because they’re not getting enough light exposure,” Graper said. “Cloudy weather has caused the seedlings to stretch or elongate more than they normally would.” Overcrowding in seedling pots will also cause legginess as the seedlings compete for light.
Why are my seedlings flopping over?
Cause: If a batch of otherwise healthy seedlings fall over and wither seemingly overnight, they are likely victims of damping-off, a fungal disease that attacks stems at the soil surface and is usually deadly. Excess moisture or nutrients create conditions that promote damping-off.
When should I pinch sweet pea seedlings?
Once plants are 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) tall, pinch out the central growing tip, just above a leaf joint, leaving just two or three leaf nodes. This will encourage the plant to branch vigorously from the base.
Should I pinch out pea seedlings?
It is possible to dwarf any pea plant by pinching out the main shoot when the plant is about 20cm high and allowing it to branch. Tall main crops, particularly the older varieties, can reach more than two metres (7ft) and thus need supports.
How often should you water sweet peas?
Once planted, if the summer is dry, they need regular watering as Sweet peas dislike being dry when they are prone to mildew. To keep the flowering, it is necessary to remove all the seed heads. To keep them straight and looking good, it is also necessary to remove all tendrils.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.