Blue Spencer Sweet Peas

Dwarf Sweet Peas

Greeting Cards - Part 1

Greeting Cards - Part 2

Lavender and Mauve Spencer Sweet Peas

Maroon Spencer Sweet Peas

Old Fashioned Sweet Peas

Pink Spencer Sweet Peas

Red Spencer Sweet Peas

Royal Family Sweet Peas

Sweet Pea Collections

Sweet Pea Mixes

White, Cream and Picotee Spencer Sweet Peas

Winter Elegance Sweet Peas

Pests and Diseases and other problems

I am currently updating this page.  Please be patient.

Sweet peas: "...it's the most ticklish crop in the world. If the bugs don't get in it might do good. And then come a hot day and bust the pods and lose your crop on the ground. Or it might come up a little rain and spoil the whole kaboodle". (from "The Harness" by John Steinbeck.)
Many seed packets claim that sweet peas are "easy to grow". In my mind "easy to grow" means put it in the ground and watch what happens. With sweet peas, you have to prepare the soil, make a structure, tie the plants throughout the growing season and protect from pests and diseases. Although these are pleasant and rewarding chores, they are not necessarily "easy".
Some of the information presented here is 'from the books'. Other is from personal experience.

Chart of Problems
Problem Description

Control

Photo

Organic

Other
Slugs and snails Slugs and snails are especially harmful to young plants. Even before you are aware of their presence, the baby slugs can chew off the growing tip of young seedlings, thereby killing the plant. Once the plant has become established, slugs may chew on the leaves. Various home remedies;
Escar-go		 Slug bait
Birds Cute, little feathered babies might eat the growing tip of seedlings. This may kill the plants. Bird netting
Remay

Damping off This causes young seedlings to die. It is caused by a fungus in the soil. Use sterile potting mix to start seedlings
Root rot Various root rots and seed rots cause plants to wither and die. See UC Davis's Website for more info on these problems.

Wireworms & other grubs Attack the roots and may cause collapse of the plants.

Aphids The scourge of sweet peas! They spread disease, notably virus, and must be controlled. Please take note that insecticidal soap will desiccate foliage. Lacewings, Ladybugs,


Virus My nemesis! Virus can ruin plants and flowers. There is mottling and yellowing of the foliage. Flowers have broken colors. It is spread by aphids. I think it can also be spread by contaminated hands, garden tools and direct contact. Use good clean technique. Control Aphids. Destroy infected plants.
 None


Bud Drop This seems to happen early in the season when weather is unstable. Flower buds drop off. Although annoying, plants seem to outgrow it. None None

 
Mildew White powdery growth on leaves and stems. Heavily infected plants may have their growth diminished. I have no personal experience with this problem. Increase air circulation around plants. See UC Davis Website for controls. Make sure to read labels.
        Copyright 2009 © E-Commerce powered by RE-Data.com.