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Care and Cultivation of Sweet Peas
Lathyrus odoratus
The Sweet Pea has long been a favorite of gardeners because of the wonderful fragrance of the large clusters of colorful blue, pink, purple, red or white flowers. This easily cultivated, annual plant grows and blooms best in cooler, mild climates and makes great cut flowers for your home.
The Sweet Pea, Lathyrus odoratus, is generally considered to be a vining plant which often reaches a height of ten feet, but there are also varieties which are more bush-like and only grow to a height of 30 inches.
The plants should be grown in rich, moist soil, and require regular watering during the summer months or they will quickly fade away. A heavy mulching will help keep the roots cool, allowing it's cultivation in warmer regions. Remove the old blossoms as they fade to keep the plant flowering until the first frosts of Fall.
Sweet Peas are grown from seed, which germinate and begin to grow rapidly in 2 to 3 weeks. For best and quickest germination, soak the seeds in room temperature water before sowing them into a sunny area of the garden in March. Plant the seeds two inches deep and three inches apart. Thin out the seedlings to six inches apart when they are three to four inches high.
The vining types will need the support of a trellis or fence on which to climb.
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