My sweet peas are a disaster this year. Have they dried out through lack of water? I have watered them every few days.
A container will likely need daily watering, and even twice a day if temperatures are above 85 degrees F.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/sweet-pea/container-grown-sweet-peas.htm
Should I pinch the tendrils off my new everlasting sweetpea?
This article may help you decide whether to pinch your sweet pea or not
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/sweet-pea/pinching-sweet-peas.htm
Hi Despite very regular care (i.e. dead heading and picking) my Margarette standard foliage went yellow and the flowers got smaller and scarcer to the point I have now cut it all back. Also, the leaves on my Sweet Peas are also yellowing although they are continuing to flower pretty well. Could you advise what's causing it please. Thank you Lynne
Yellowing leaves can indicate watering issues, disease, pests or nutrient issues.
Inspect the plants and leaves for signs of insects or markings.
Check the soil. Is it well draining? Lack of water or excess moisture can be an issue.
These articles will refresh you on the care requirements.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/sweet-pea/care-of-sweet-peas.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/sweet-pea/sweet-pea-flowers-falling-off.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/marguerite-daisies/marguerite-daisy-flowers.htm
We've had the 12 bushes in our flower bed for 3 months. They're growing but no blooms. We auto water 3x a week for 3min. Used a general fertilizer 3 weeks ago and when first planted. They had blooms when we bought them buy as they grew healthy and green no more purple blooms!
A couple of light feedings, half strength, a year with a multi-purpose fertilizer or once in early spring with a slow release multi-purpose fertilizer is all this plant needs. Too much fertilization will encourage plant growth, putting strength into growing new foliage leaving little for new blooms.
Sunlight will also affect the plants blooming. This plant needs at least 6 hour of direct sunlight a day to bloom well. This is especially true in the spring and early summer to start a good blooming season.
Once established, which your plant should be, the Sweet Pea Shrub only requires moderate to little water. Too much water will slow blooming and in time too wet a soil can kill the plant. Many times too much water will show up in a yellowing of the leaves.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/sweet-pea-shrubs/growing-sweet-pea-shrubs.htm
I have read that neem oil as a foliar spray works to get rid of aphids. I have some neem oil, but am not sure how to prepare it for spraying. My sweet pea plants are infested with aphids. Should I mix the oil with water or some other carrier?
Yes, you can mix the neem oil with water plus a little soap to allow the oil and water to mix. Add approximately four teaspoons of neem oil per gallon of water, plus a few squirts of mild dish soap. Simply shake and spray.
Also, it's best to apply in the early morning or evening to avoid burning the foliage in the bright sunlight.
Bought sweet pea plants in spring (they are great) and would like more info on how I can get cuttings for next spring pl? Know I have to save pods at end of season but do I dry I them out until spring or take 'peas' out now and dry? Can't find anything in my Readers Digest gardening books. Thank you
I have never taken cuttings. Wait until the seed pods begin to dry and fill out and there is evidence of seeds inside. Open one or two, you are looking for hard, dark brown / black seeds with possibly a white dot. If the seeds are green then you have collected them too early. You can risk planting a few at the end of October / November, but I always wait until spring and keep the seeds dry until then. Before you sow them, soak them overnight in a cup of water to help germination.
We planted sweet peas some months ago. The plants are growing well on a trellis in a sunny north facing position. The plants are now at least six months old & have no sign of flower buds. What are we doing wrong. They have been watered well. Bryan Green.
Failure to produce flowers is often a sign of excessive nitrogen in the soil. Sweet pea is especially sensitive to this problem because it is in the legume family and can fix its own nitrogen in the roots. It can also be caused by stress from high temperatures.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/sweet-pea/sweet-pea-flowers-falling-off.htm
This article is about beans but it's the same idea:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/beans/get-bean-plants-to-bloom.htm