How Long Does It Take To Germinate Sweet Peas?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Seeds take anywhere from

10 to 28 days

to germinate completely, depending on weather and soil temperature. If your sweet peas do not germinate well, dig down to see if the seeds are still there.

How do you germinate sweet pea seeds?

Sweet pea seed will germinate in

soil at temperatures of 55o to 65o F or 13o to 18o C

. Plant seeds in holes that are about two inches (two knuckles) deep. Drop two to four seeds per hole, with holes spaced four to six inches apart. Water thoroughly and keep soil moist until seeds have sprouted.

Do sweet pea seeds need to be soaked before planting?


Soak the seeds in water for 24 hours before sowing

. This softens the seed coat and speeds up the sprouting process. … While the seeds are soaking, fill your pots with good quality potting soil. Sweet peas produce abundant roots, so use the deepest pots you can find.

Do sweet pea seeds need heat to germinate?

For early flowers, sow seeds October/November. Seed sown at this time of year would not

“normally” require any heat to germinate

but do be aware of early frosts and cold nights, heat as required at 10/15°C Day and Night. Sow in grow tubes, pots or trays and grow either in a cold frame or cold greenhouse.

How do you speed up sweet pea germination?

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.

What month do you plant sweet peas?

when to plant sweet peas

Sow sweet pea seeds

between October and April

. For best results aim for late October/November or late February/March as temperatures and light levels are less than ideal in midwinter. Sweet peas can also be sown direct into the ground in April or May.

What is the best support for sweet peas?

Because Sweet Peas are vining, they need support to grow up and flower. Many types of structures can work such as a trellis, supports with

mesh or twine

, or fences. They need a structure that is well anchored in the ground to support the weight of the vines.

Can you plant sweet pea seeds straight into the ground?

Growing sweet peas from seed couldn't be easier. You can sow them into pots of compost in autumn and overwinter the young plants in a cold frame or cool greenhouse. Or, you can wait until

spring

when you can sow into pots or directly into the ground. … Plant them about 1cm deep, cover with compost and water them well.

Should you pinch out sweet peas?

The auxins will produce growth and for new and stronger growing tips. Pinching out sweet peas

will provide you with more blooms for cutting

. It's one of the wonders of growing these delightful vines. The more blooms you cut, the more will grow, so don't be afraid of pinching out your sweet peas to enjoy the bouquets.

Do sweet peas come back every year?

Sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) only live for a year, dying after setting seed. But don't let this put you off as they are super easy to grow from seed. Perennial species such as Lathyrus latifolius

come back year after year

, but mostly lack fragrance and there are fewer to choose from.

What temperature can sweet peas tolerate?

Sweet Pea containers

Sweet Peas are quick and easy to germinate, a little heat will speed up germination, but it is not essential. You can germinate Sweet Peas on a warm windowsill, conservatory or using heated propagator to get a temperature of

about 15C/ 59F

.

Why have my sweet peas not germinating?

Seeds take anywhere from 10 to 28 days to germinate completely, depending on weather and soil temperature. If your sweet peas do not germinate well,

dig down to see if the seeds are still there

. If they have rotted or been eaten, plant more right away as they will catch up quickly.

Can sweet peas grow in hanging baskets?

The scent of sweet peas (Lathyrus odoratus) fill the air in spring and summer. …

Dwarf sweet pea varieties

are well-suited for growing in hanging baskets, from which their trailing vines cascade. Sweet peas grow as annuals in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 11.

Do seeds germinate better in the dark?


Most seeds germinate best under dark conditions

and might even be inhibited by light (e.g., Phacelia and Allium spp.). However, some species (e.g., Begonia, Primula, Coleus) need light to germinate (Miles and Brown 2007).

Should I soak sunflower seeds before planting?

The sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is native to North America, which means it will grow quite happily in most climates as long as it gets enough sun. They're easy to grow, and

you don't even need to soak sunflower seeds before planting them directly into your

garden.

Sophia Kim
Author
Sophia Kim
Sophia Kim is a food writer with a passion for cooking and entertaining. She has worked in various restaurants and catering companies, and has written for several food publications. Sophia's expertise in cooking and entertaining will help you create memorable meals and events.