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Post by scrumpy on Jan 14, 2013 22:14:52 GMT
Mine have survived winter so far, keeping an eye on the forecast, don't mind -5'c and a bit of snow in the coldframe but anything under they'll be moved into the greenhouse overnight. And like you, no idea what i'll be growing this year as majority are seeds saved from last years seedlings so could be anything  Plus my own seed of Sir Jimmy and Millenium. |
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Post by sweetpea on Jan 16, 2013 18:07:09 GMT
Just been having a look at your sweetpea blog scrumpy.
Interesting to see how others grow their plants.
When I had the space I used a 3' trench with the double row 2' apart and the plants 9" apart.
Not got the room now so the trench width is more like 2 1/2ft now and I doubt I can manage two spits deep so it will be top spit cultivation only this year.
Decided on Anniversary, Gwendoline, Linda C, Miss Truslove, White frills & Windsor.
At least I should get some decent blooms for the house if nothing else. If I think they are up to it I may enter the county show in August but that will be a big 'IF'
As for low temperatures my plants did just fine in lows of -25C I was away at work for over a week and never lost a plant.
The main losses when frozen tend to happen due to sun defrosting the foliage while the roots are still frozen solid rather than let the plants s l o w l y defrost shaded from the sun.
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Post by scrumpy on Jan 20, 2013 10:30:06 GMT
If i wanted to bring them in it would be a struggle......everything is frozen solid. Mind you, this bit of snow should insulate it a bit.
With space available, yours is probably the ideal, though preparation is more difficult. In my case, it was a question of making best use of space. And layering is easier.
What i'd like to know is how the plants always send the spikes away from the plant into open space, and not inwards.
You've got some nice varieties there, good colour range. When would you sow them for August shows?
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Post by sweetpea on Jan 20, 2013 12:09:21 GMT
If i wanted to bring them in it would be a struggle......everything is frozen solid. Mind you, this bit of snow should insulate it a bit. With space available, yours is probably the ideal, though preparation is more difficult. In my case, it was a question of making best use of space. And layering is easier. What i'd like to know is how the plants always send the spikes away from the plant into open space, and not inwards. You've got some nice varieties there, good colour range. When would you sow them for August shows?main problem I think would be mildew if a hot season. |
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Post by scrumpy on Jan 20, 2013 12:16:03 GMT
I get mildew/fungus problems every year from JulyAugust onwards, even with fungicidal sprays. That's why saving seeds is a bit hit and miss for me, and why Shrewsbury show is always a problem.
I put it down to layering...they are on their 3rd trip around by then and it must be splashback from the soi.
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Post by scrumpy on Jan 20, 2013 12:50:18 GMT
 Todays picture of them, enjoying the snow. I'm not as brave as sweet pea in leaving the lights off though They went into the frame late November and haven't had anything done to them since....watering etc done by nature. The lights were closed a few times when we had the heavy rain to stop them getting to waterlogged, and again closed this last week because of predicted heavy frosts. |
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Post by Moonlight on Jan 20, 2013 12:56:39 GMT
So do you plant the seeds and put them straight in the cold frame?
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Post by scrumpy on Jan 20, 2013 13:13:59 GMT
I start the seeds in the greenhouse in 20 cell compartments, thermostat set to 65'f. Takes about a week to germinate, let them grow for about a week, then they go into pots/urotainers, then into the frame.  |
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Post by sweetpea on Jan 20, 2013 13:47:55 GMT
Access frames are brilliant for letting the light through. At the time I couldn't afford them so made do with home made (Heath Robinson actually) frames out of railway sleepers. Worked for me though.
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Post by scrumpy on Jan 20, 2013 16:27:26 GMT
They still haven't worked out the handles for the glass though....work fine in the dry, slide off in the wet.
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Post by Cherry on Jan 20, 2013 17:12:36 GMT
I have made mine myself in the past, but I could hardly lift the glass because it was a double glazed unit on the last one. Husband made a proper one for me, so I am much happier. I used breeze blocks before.
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