Perennial sweet peas - grown from seeds
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Among the flowers that do not require special care, but at the same time are able to perfectly decorate a garden or a summer cottage, sweet peas are far from the last place. This unpretentious plant is distinguished by long flowering, moreover, it has a very delicate but persistent aroma, and the abundance of varieties bred to date will satisfy the most demanding grower.
Sweet peas: appearance and history of appearance
Lathyrus Odoratus belongs to the genus of the large legume family. This is a herbaceous climbing plant with small, but graceful and abundant, collected in a brush, flowers, which many growers compare in shape to a reduced copy of an orchid. The color of flowers can be varied: from pale blue to deep blue and purple and from white and pale pink to red and burgundy.
Sweet peas are able to decorate any area
Pea is a perennial, although in certain climatic conditions this fragrant flower is grown as an annual. In addition, thanks to the painstaking work of breeders, many annual varieties have appeared, which are presented in a more diverse range of colors.
Fragrant peas begin to bloom in late June - early July, but the duration of their flowering depends on how they are taken care of. If you follow some simple rules, the plant will delight you with numerous flowers until the very frost.
Currently, bicolor pea varieties have been developed
The stems of the peas (ranks) are ribbed, the leaves are complex pinnate of a bright green color. At the ends of the leaves are antennae, thanks to which the plant can curl, clinging to the support. The height of this fragrant plant depends on what variety it is and can vary from 15-20 cm to 2-2.5 m. The fruits of the ranch are pubescent, not very long beans with several seeds.
It is believed that the birthplace of sweet peas is Sicily. It was from there that he was brought first to India, and only then to Europe. Today, ornamental peas as a garden plant are especially revered in England, where even whole communities of its lovers have been created. Long-term sweet peas have become a kind of symbol of garden design here.
Sweet pea varieties
Perennial grades of rank are not particularly varied in color: more often it is a purple or pink hue. Such peas can grow up to 2 m, while clinging with its antennae to all objects encountered in its path. These varieties must be tied up, since lodging of the stems can provoke their decay and the development of various diseases.
Annual peas are simply replete with a variety of colors and shades, besides, they are more fragrant than perennial ones.
All varieties of peas are usually subdivided into groups:
- Spencer. The varieties are vigorous with powerful stems and peduncles, the upper edges of the petals are wavy;
- Kazberston. The shoots are long, with numerous flowers, thanks to which the plants of this group are simply charming when cut;
- Royal.This group includes early flowering varieties, in which large flowers with upper petals, colored either in lighter, delicate, or, conversely, more saturated, shades;
- Bijou. These are low-growing (about 25-30 cm) plants with large and bright inflorescences. Abundant flowering;
- Pink Cupid. The varieties of this group have a common characteristic feature - the upper petal has a wavy edge. Plants are low (up to 30 cm);
- Fantasy. This group is distinguished by dwarf growth (no more than 20 cm), due to which it is used as a ground cover and as bordering borders.
The use of ranks in landscape design
Due to its ability to curl and bloom for quite a long time, the rank is most often used for vertical gardening. The most suitable places for her to disembark are:
- walls that need to be given a more picturesque look;
- fences and hedges that the colored peas will turn into living ones;
- the perimeter of the gazebos, which it is desirable to shade;
- supports (nets, lattices), which makes it possible to get a blooming green wall.
Low-growing varieties fit perfectly into the landscape when planted along curbs, in flower beds, and in single cut plantings they are very good.
Mass plantings of peas of different colors look especially bright.
Features of planting and care
Cultivation of ranks occurs either by seedlings, or by sowing seeds directly into open ground. Moreover, they can be sown both in spring and in autumn, since the seeds are frost-resistant and winter well in the soil, starting to grow with the onset of warmth.
At the same time, seedlings will give an opportunity to get an earlier flowering. The problem with this method of growing peas is its long root, which does not respond well to transplants, preferring not to be disturbed. In this regard, it is better to plant seeds immediately in separate containers, which minimize injuries during the subsequent transplantation of young plants.
It is best to use peat cups. In this case, planting in the soil is generally painless. If a plastic cup is used, then the plants from it, when transplanted, are carefully transferred into holes prepared in advance, right with a lump of earth.
Planting seedlings
Seedlings are usually planted in early spring. First of all, the seeds are carefully examined for damaged or diseased seeds, which are removed. Then the seeds should be soaked in a saline solution. Those of them that will be on the surface are also better removed, since the likelihood that they will rise is too small.
Pea seeds are best planted in separate containers.
Pea seeds sprout rather poorly, so it is better to prepare them for planting: soak for a day either in plain warm water, or in water with the addition of a bud. After that, it is better to place the seeds in wet sawdust, sand or cheesecloth for several days, but always at a temperature of at least 20 ° C. During this time, the seeds should hatch, and they are immediately planted in the substrate. 2-3 seeds should be planted in each container, and they should not be buried more than a couple of millimeters into the soil.
The composition of the substrate must necessarily include peat, turf and humus, and immediately before planting it is thoroughly moistened. Containers with seedlings are covered with foil and placed in a warm and well-lit place.
Seedling care
Approximately 1-2 weeks after sowing, the first shoots will begin to appear.At this time, they need to be opened and transferred to a cooler room. Do not forget to keep the substrate moist. During this period, young sprouts especially need good lighting, therefore, if there is not enough sunlight, additional sources must be used.
In order for the lateral shoots to form well on the plants, experienced gardeners recommend pinching the seedlings as soon as 2-3 pairs of leaves appear on it. After such a procedure, it is advisable to feed the seedlings (usually a kemira solution is advised). It is also very good from this time to start gradually hardening the seedlings, taking them out for a while in the open air.
Planting seedlings in open ground
Approximately in the middle - end of May, when the soil warms up enough and the threat of night frosts disappears, seedlings are planted in open soil. If by this time buds have set on the sprouts, they should be removed, since the plant otherwise will not be able to form a strong root system.
Description of the main stages of care
When choosing a landing site, you should take into account some of the nuances:
- the site should be well lit and warm, but at the same time it should not be located in a draft, since delicate peas do not like this;
- it is necessary to immediately provide for the presence or the possibility of placing a support, if we are talking about tall varieties;
- the soil on the site should be prepared (it should be dug up and fertilized), loose and nutritious, it should not contain clay.
2-3 plants are planted in each prepared hole, while the distance between the holes is made at least 25-30 cm.
Before planting seedlings in open ground, it is better to remove the buds that have tied up
Watering planted plants should be abundant. The plant needs moisture, so the soil must always be moist, otherwise unblooming buds will begin to fall off.
Peas will throw out their flowers for a long time, if you do not allow him to switch to seed formation. That is why faded inflorescences should be removed in time.
In preparation for winter, perennial varieties of peas are simply cut off at the root and, for the purpose of warming in the case of rather harsh winters, they are sprinkled with sawdust. This will be enough so that next year it will again please with its flowering.
Sweet peas on the balcony
Ampel and dwarf ranks are a great way to decorate a balcony. In addition, even a novice gardener will master this method of growing it, and not only a master of this business.
Currently, a huge number of different varieties of peas of various colors have been bred
Planting seeds for seedlings or directly into pots on the balcony does not differ from planting street varieties of peas. Flowers need warmth, light, and regular watering.
An important point when growing young plants on the balcony is the need to protect them from sudden temperature changes. Polka dots will not fail to show their displeasure by dropping all the buds. In addition, you should not be zealous in a hot season with direct sunlight, since the love of the ranks for good lighting is not unlimited, therefore it is better to shade the plants in the midday heat.
Possible diseases and the fight against them
Unfortunately, sweet peas are susceptible to some diseases, so when the first symptoms appear, action should be taken.
- Ascochitis. Clear-cut brownish spots begin to appear on the surface of the plant. The bush should be treated several times with an interval of 2-3 weeks with a solution of rogor.
- Viral mosaic. A pattern appears on the surface of the leaves, and the top of the stem is twisted and deformed. This disease is incurable, so the bushes are dug up and burned.
When the first symptoms of the disease appear, measures should be taken
- Root rot. The root collar darkens and the plant dies. The affected bushes are immediately removed and the soil is disinfected.
- Fusarium. The leaves of the affected flowers turn yellow and wither. This disease is considered incurable, so diseased specimens are immediately removed, and the soil and nearby plants are treated for prophylaxis with a TMDT solution.
- Powdery mildew and downy mildew (downy mildew). A whitish coating of a loose structure appears on the surface of leaves and stems. If untreated, the leaves turn yellow and crumble. Treatment with colloidal sulfur will help in the fight against diseases.
The formula for the successful cultivation of sweet peas is quite simple: it should be watered regularly and abundantly, weeded and fed. And it will delight with its long flowering and delicate aroma all summer long.
