Among the flowers that do not require special care, but at the same time are able to perfectly decorate the garden or summer cottage, sweet peas are far from the last place. This unpretentious plant is characterized by long flowering, moreover, it has a very delicate but persistent aroma, and the abundance of varieties bred today will satisfy the most demanding grower.
Sweet pea: appearance and history of occurrence
Lathyrus Odoratus belongs to the genus of the rank of the large legume family. This is a grassy climbing plant with small, but graceful and abundant flowers collected in a brush, which in the form of many flower growers compare with a small copy of the 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 can decorate any area
For your information! Currently, two-color varieties are also bred, which are becoming more and more popular.
Peas are perennials, 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 represented by a more diverse color scheme.
The fragrant peas begin to bloom in late June - early July, but the duration of its flowering depends on how it will be taken care of. If you follow some simple rules, the plant will delight you with numerous flowers until the frosts.
Two-color pea varieties are currently bred.
Pea stalks (ranks) are ribbed, complex pinnate leaves are bright green. At the ends of the leaves are antennae, thanks to which the plant can curl, clinging to a support. The height of this fragrant plant depends on which variety it is, and can vary from 15-20 cm to 2-2.5 m. The fruits of the rank 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 introduced first to India, and only then to Europe. Today, decorative peas as a garden plant are especially revered in England, where even entire communities of its lovers are created. Perennial peas have become a kind of symbol of garden design here.
Important! Sweet pea seeds are poisonous, so it is better to keep them away from children and animals.
Sweet pea varieties
Perennial varieties of ranks are not particularly diverse in color: more often it is a purple or pink hue. Such peas can grow up to 2 m, while clinging with their antennae to all objects encountered in its path. These varieties should be tied up, as lodging the stems can provoke their decay and the development of various diseases.
Annual peas simply replete with a variety of colors and shades, moreover, it is more fragrant than perennial.
All varieties of peas are usually divided into groups:
- Spencer Varieties are tall with powerful stems and peduncles, the upper edges of the petals are wavy;
- Kazberston. The shoots are long, with many flowers, so the plants of this group are simply charming in the cut;
- Royal. Early flowering varieties belong to this group, in which large flowers with upper petals painted either in lighter, tender, or, conversely, more saturated, shades;
- Bijoux. These are stunted (about 25-30 cm) plants with large and bright inflorescences. Flowering is plentiful;
- Pink Cupid. In varieties of this group, a common characteristic feature is that in the upper petal, the edge is wavy. Plants are low (up to 30 cm);
- Fantasy. This group is characterized by dwarf growth (not more than 20 cm), due to which it is used as groundcover and as a border for borders.
The use of ranks in landscape design
Due to its ability to curl and bloom for a rather long time, the rank is most often used for vertical gardening. The most suitable places for its landing are:
- walls that need to be given a more picturesque look;
- fences and hedges that colored peas will turn into live;
- the perimeter of arbors, which it is desirable to shade;
- supports (grids, grids), which makes it possible to get a blooming green wall.
Low-growing varieties fit perfectly into the landscape when planting along the curbs, on flower beds, and in single plantings for cutting they are very good.
Mass plantings of peas of different colors look especially vivid
Features of planting and care
The cultivation of the rank occurs either in the seedling method, or by sowing seeds directly into the 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 heat.
Note! Sowing in the ground makes it possible to obtain stronger and more viable plants, hardened in natural conditions, which will be much better able to tolerate the transplant. They are more resistant to possible spring temperature spikes. Such plants are distinguished by abundant flowering throughout the season.
At the same time, seedlings will provide an opportunity to get earlier flowering. The problem with this method of growing peas is its long root, which responds poorly to transplants, preferring not to be bothered. In this regard, it is better to plant the seeds immediately in separate containers that minimize injury during the subsequent transplantation of young plants.
Peat cups are best. In this case, the landing in the soil is generally painless. If a plastic cup is used, then the plants from it during transplantation are carefully transshipped into prepared pits directly with a lump of earth.
Planting seedlings
Seedlings are usually planted in early spring. First of all, the seeds are carefully inspected for damaged or sick, which are removed. Then the seeds should be soaked in saline. Those that appear on the surface are also better to remove, since the likelihood that they will rise is too small.
Pea seeds are best planted in separate containers
Pea seeds germinate 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 this, it is better to place the seeds in moist 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, moreover, they should not be buried in the soil for more than a couple of millimeters.
The composition of the substrate must include peat, turf and humus, and immediately before planting it is thoroughly moistened. Containers with seedlings are covered with a film and placed in a warm and well-lit place.
Important! Before use, disinfect the substrate with a strong solution of potassium permanganate.
Seedling Care
About 1-2 weeks after sowing, the first seedlings 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, so if sunlight is not enough, you need to use additional sources.
In order for lateral processes to form well on plants, experienced gardeners recommend pinching seedlings as soon as 2-3 pairs of leaves appear on it. After this procedure, it is advisable to feed the seedlings (usually a solution of Kemira is recommended). It is also very good from this time to begin to gradually harden seedlings, taking it out for a while to the open air.
Planting seedlings in open ground
Approximately in the middle - the end of May, when the soil warms up enough and the threat of night frost disappears, the seedlings are planted in open soil. If by this time buds have started on the sprouts, they should be removed, since the plant otherwise would not be able to form a strong root system.
Description of the main stages of care
When choosing a place to land, you should consider some of the nuances:
- the site should be well lit and warmed up, but it should not be located in a draft, since delicate peas do not like this;
- the presence or the possibility of placing a support should be immediately considered, if we are talking about tall varieties;
- the soil on the site should be prepared (it should be dug up and fertilizers added), loose and nutritious, it should not contain clay.
In each prepared hole, 2-3 plants are planted, 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 set buds
Watering the planted plants should be plentiful. The plant needs moisture, so the soil should always be moist, otherwise unbroken buds will begin to fall.
Note! Pea fertilizer is carried out in order to obtain abundant flowering on the bushes. When feeding, it is important to remember that nitrogen peas are not needed. At the beginning of growth, it is better to use urea and nitrophos, and during flowering, fertilizers for flowering plants (for example, Ross or Agricola).
Peas will throw out their flowers for quite some time, if you do not let it switch to seed formation. That is why it is necessary to remove faded inflorescences in time.
In preparation for winter, perennial varieties of peas are simply cut to the root and, with the aim of warming in the case of rather severe winters, sprinkled with sawdust. This will be enough so that next year he again pleased with his flowering.
Sweet pea on the balcony
Ampel and dwarf grades are a great way to decorate a balcony. Moreover, even a novice gardener will master this method of growing it, and not just a master of this matter.
Currently, a huge number of different varieties of peas of various colors
Planting seeds for seedlings or immediately in pots on the balcony does not differ from planting street varieties of peas. Flowers need warmth, lighting, and regular watering.
An important point when growing young plants on the balcony is the need to protect them from sudden changes in temperature. Peas will not fail to show their dissatisfaction by dropping all the buds. In addition, you should not be zealous in hot weather with direct sunlight, as the rank's love of good lighting is not unlimited, so it is better to shade plants in the midday heat.
Possible diseases and their control
Unfortunately, sweet peas are prone to certain diseases, so when the first symptoms appear, measures should be taken.
- Ascochitosis. On the surface of the plant, clearly defined brownish spots begin to appear. The bush should be treated several times with an interval of 2-3 weeks with a solution of the horn.
- Viral mosaic. A pattern appears on the surface of the leaves, and the top of the stem twists and deforms. 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 neck darkens and the plant dies. Affected bushes are immediately removed, and the soil is disinfected.
- Fusarium The leaves of the affected flowers turn yellow and fade. This disease is considered incurable, therefore, diseased specimens are immediately removed, and the soil and nearby plants are treated for the purpose of prevention with the help of TMDT solution.
- Powdery mildew and peronosporosis (downy mildew). On the surface of leaves and stems, a whitish coating of a loose structure appears. If untreated, the leaves turn yellow and crumble. Colloidal sulfur treatment will help in the fight against diseases.
The formula for successful cultivation of sweet peas is quite simple: it should be regularly and abundantly watered, weed and fed. And he will delight with his long flowering and delicate aroma all summer.
