Sweet pea advice required

Could they be in a less sunny position? I have mine in pots in full sun can't think of another reason.

Are the fence ones in shallow containers? Sweet Peas need to put down deep roots.

Just took a good look at your pics and notice that the ones near the fence are in a really shallow container that could be a reason. They do have long roots and need a deep pot.

Yes, the ones at the fence are in shallow containers and although it's a south facing garden the ones at the fence only get sun from one angle.

I can always buy some deeper pots but goodness knows how I'm going to transfer them as some of the peas have already attached themselves to the netting and I know they don't take kindly to being tampered with.

It's definitely the shallow containers. I would be ruthless. Get them out and replant in a deeper pot. Give them loads of water every day and they could well be ok.

You're right, think I will have to bite the bullet and transplant them into deeper pots tomorrow. At least we're getting some rain now as the garden is totally parched after 3 weeks of hot dry weather (not that I'm complaining). Thanks for the advice folks.

I wouldn't disturb them from the fence just take the root ball out and replant the whole thing into a larger deeper pot. Keep them well watered. Good luck .

Thanks tanith I was thinking along the same lines.

Will you get be able to get a deeper pot under them without uncurling the tendons from the fence? Won't they be slightly uncomfortable?

Good luck anyway.

Or will you sink the deeper pot into the ground.

Am I overthinking this now?

jinglebells I've popped out into the rain to have a quick look and most of the large supporting tendons are attached further up but it's still going to be messy and tricky but will give it a try.

Maybe you could unattached the net from the fence then reattach it higher up that way your SPs will be more comfy

I really really don't want to unattach and reattach the netting as it took quite a while to attach in the first place and a very sore thumb after pushing 50+ tacks into the fence. I don't mind a bit of extra expense and work to save the peas but will replant them into larger pots with the minimum of disturbance. Will let you know how it goes.

Does anyone know how to get them to germinate in the first place?

I know you have to soak the seeds in water overnight to soften them. But it's far easier to buy a little pot of seedlings from the garden centre! (And very cheap)

I think DH did that.
Will have to buy the little plants.
I do like sweet peas. They remind me of my Dad, who always grew a lot and we used to have some indoors in a little vase.

I grew mine from seeds this time for the first time in years. I always used to do it this way.

What I do is to soak the seeds in water overnight. I pack cardboard toilet roll inners into one of the blue plastic deep mushroom containers from the supermarket (with a few holes in the bottom to let it drain.) and almost fill up with compost. Each drained seed goes into its own personal tube with compost on top covering the top of the tubes and filling the spaces. If there are more seeds than tubes, some can go into the gaps between.

I do this in October and keep them somewhere reasonably sheltered in the garden over winter. When I am ready to plant them, I bury each tube and plant in a deep enough hole - their roots hven't tangled up with each other, they are contained in the tubes.

I got some little miniature ones this year. Don't need staking. Supposed to form clumps. They are very late though. Got them as plug plants.

I'll be very lucky if mine haven't been washed away by today's flood.

They will perk up again Once they get a bit of sun.

I took your good advice and transferred them into 3 deeper pots....OH! they didn't like that one little bit. I though they would die on me but 2 hours and several waterings later and they've perked up. I'll give them plenty of tlc over the next few days and keep my fingers crossed.

I'm sure they'll be happier fingers crossed