Sweet Pea Question....

[FloriTexan]

I live in Zone 8 (North east Texas) where it can get pretty hot. I sowed these from seed last year and they failed miserably in a spot there they would get lots of morning to mid day sun but be spared the hottest part of the day. They never really found the trellis and just petered out.

I'm trying again this year? Any suggestions. I thought I'd try them in pots with a few stakes (as opposed to a trellis and just tie them up. This way I can move them where they will do best.

[japple]

1. Are you referring to the edible english pea or the ornamental

sweet pea flower? If it's english peas, you probably should have planted those much earlier, maybe January. I'm in zone 7, and if we don't plant by around the 1st of March, we don't have much luck.

If you're talking about sweet pea flowers, you may be too far south.

[FloriTexan]

2. The flowers....

I might put them in a more shady spot this time with only morning sun. Just experimentin'. Thank you!

[japple]

3. Good luck. Maybe the shade will help, and if you get an

early start next year, you might be able to enjoy them for awhile in the spring. I have the same problem with peonies, here in Georgia. My two bushes (pink and white) put out lots of blooms, but when the temps hit the upper 80s in April, they usually turn brown before they completely mature. Maybe I should dig them up and put them in a shadier spot.

[FloriTexan]

4. Peonies...

Another problem child for me. Mine come up late and in 5 years I've only had 1 bloom. I moved them last year. I suppose I should be grateful they put in somewhat of an appearance. I know they are running behind as my neighbor at work has already brought in all her peonies in vases. I had them in full sun, then early morning sun, and now a mixed sun. 'bout ready to give up on them.

[badgerpup]

5. Peonies are persnickety critters...

They absolutley HATE being moved...and if you plant them too deep for your area by so much as HALF-AN-INCH they'll make an appearance, but they won't bloom. Sometimes bone meal helps, but (according to the nursery I asked) it's usually because they're planted too deeply.

I've some I planted 8 years ago...they make an appearance every spring just to taunt me.
Last year two of them finally got the idea and bloomed, however. :bounce:

Planning to move the non-bloomers (Bowl of Beauty for one...it's been so long since I've planted the others I've forgotten what they are! :blush:) later this summer to better locations.

I'm LUSTING after some ivory-cream bomb-type ones I found on the web.

http://peonyparadise.com/index.asp?PageAction=PRODSEARCH&txtSearch=white+peonies&Page=1

[K8-EEE]

6. Here in So CA I plant them in the fall

They like the cool weather -- they're all burnt out by late spring.

basically I just soak the seeds for 24 hours, plant on tomato cages with some timed-release fertilizer and they take off, until the hot weather.