Peat based (or a peat alternative) type compost is ideal.

Now this is the time to decide if you want to sow your seeds in plug pots, plant pots, trays or inserts.

It is also time to calculate how many plug pots, plant pots, trays or inserts you will need to sow the number of seeds you are going to sow.

You can sow one lathyrus seed in each plug pot.

And as a rule of thumb, you can easily sow up to 6 lathyrus seeds in a 7.5cm (3 inch) pot. Or up to 20 lathyrus seeds in a half size seed tray. Or up to 50 lathyrus seeds in a full size seed tray and any combinations in between.

Sieve enough compost, on to your potting bench, or potting tidy/caddy, to fill all your plug pots, plant pots or trays.

Don't discard the sieved out lumps and bits. These can be used in the bottom of larger patio pots when planting them up with your own home grown plants. (Save the lumps and bits in an old compost bag until needed).

Fill your plug pots, plant pots or tray/s with compost to about 5mm below the rim (this does not need to be exact - about 5mm will do).

Lift the plug pot, plant pot or tray to a height of about 15cm (6 inches) and gently tap it on the bench. Do this about three times.

This will settle the compost into the plug pot (preferred), plant pot or tray to about the correct level.

The compost should now be about 10mm (1/2 inch) from the top of the plug pot (preferred), plant pot or tray. This does not have to be exact so don't worry if it is a couple of mm higher or lower. It will make no difference to the end result.

Take your correct size tamper and gently level the surface of the compost. DON'T push the tamper with any force. All we want to do here is level off the surface of the compost, NOT compact it.

*This gives an ideal surface to sow the seed on.

That's it. You have now successfully filled your first tray or pot with compost.

Now Fill the rest of your plug pots (preferred), plant pots or trays in the same way.

*(Doing this correctly will increase your propagation success rate).

Essential Tip Lathyrus seeds have a hard protective coating. To speed up germination soak the seeds in luke warm water for 18 to 24 hours before you sow them.

This softens the seeds hard protective outer coating allowing water to enter the seed and the germination process to begin.

Now this is the fun part, sowing the seeds.

Lathyrus seeds are large enough to handle individually quite easily.

You can now sow one lathyrus seed on the surface of the compost in the middle of the plug pot. Or, if using 7.5cm (3inch) plant pots sow five or six around the edge of the pot (this an easy and economical way of sowing lathyrus seeds if want loads of plants).

If sowing in trays leave about 25mm (1inch) between the seeds and between the rows.

Make sure the seeds are not bunched up in the middle or to one side of the pots or trays.

You need to sow them evenly over the surface of the compost.

When you have sown all your lathyrus seeds, push them gently into the compost amout 5mm (3/16inch), not to far down or they will not germinate.

*Now, gently cover the seeds with compost. Don't push the compost down, just lightly rake it over the seeds with your fingers so the seeds are covered by about 5mm (3/16inch).

You do not want to "compact" the compost or disturb your seeds.

Take your time here, do it right and you will have all the seeds germinate!

When you have sown all your seeds don't forget to label them with plant name and date of sowing.

Sweetpea sown in 7.5cm (3inch) pots is an easy and economical way if you want loads of plants.

Sown at six seeds to a pot is about right providing you do not delay the transplanting.

Delaying the transplanting makes it difficult to seperate each seedling because the roots will have massed together. You will not do your seedlings an favours if you have to break the roots.

Watering

Water your plug pots (preferred), plant pots or trays with great care.

With your mist sprayer, set at it's finest spray, filled with tepid water and held at about 100mm (4 inch) from the pot or tray, lightly spray the surface of the compost. Don't get to close, or overdo it here, you will disturb the seeds which is exactly what you don't want to do!

The idea is to settle the surface of the compost with the fine mist from your sprayer. This prevents the seeds being disturbed. Don't soak the surface of the compost just make it slightly damp.

Now fill a container, large enough to put your trays or pots in, with tepid water *(preferably water that has been standing in a warm place for about twenty-four hours) and definitely NOT rainwater, use good old tap water!

Stand the tray or pot in the container of water and leave it until you see the surface just becoming moist.

This usually happens fairly quickly so don't be tempted to go off and do something else.

*Do not overdo the watering process, you don't want the compost saturated, or your seeds may rot and not germinate.

*(By doing this correctly you will greatly increase your chance of success).

Germination

Cover your trays or pots with glass or clear plastic (or preferably, for ease of use, place in a propagator - unheated will do).

Keep your tray or pot in the light, (not direct sunlight) and maintain a temperature of 20C to 25C (68F to 77F).

After Germination

If you used plug pots (preferred) to sow your lathyrus seeds in and when your seeds have germinated and are large enough to handle pot them directly in to 7.5cm (3inch) pots.

Do not remove the seedling from the plug pot just plant them in the 7.5cm (3inch) pots as they are. This prevents any root disturbance and gives your seedlings the chance of growing on without any disturbance. Ideal!

If you used 7.5cm (3inch) plant pots or trays to sow your lathyrus seeds in and when they have germinated and are large enough to handle transplant them individually in to 7.5cm (3inch) plant pots.

Be very careful handling the seedlings. Do not handle them by their stems as this will cause irreversible damage resulting in the seedling collapsing.

Handle the seedlings very gently and only by their leaves.

Tease the seedlings roots out with great care ensuring not too many roots are damaged. Time and care taken hear will really pay dividends giving your seedlings the best possible chance of growing on successfully.

Use a good quality potting compost. A sieved peat based or peat alternative compost will be fine.

When you have transplanted all your seedlings don't forget to label them with plant name, sowing date and transplanting date.

Water your pots with great care.

Fill a container, that is large enough to put your seed tray in, with tepid water *(preferably water that has been standing in a warm place for about twenty-four hours) and definitely NOT rainwater, use good old tap water!

Stand the tray of seedlings in the container of water and leave it until you see the surface just becoming moist.

This usually happens fairly quickly so don't think about going of and doing something else.

*Do not overdo the watering process, you don't want the compost saturated, or your seedlings will rot and die.

Keep the transplanted seedlings in good light (not direct sunlight) until they are large enough to be hardened off.

*(By doing this correctly you will greatly increase your chance of success).

Aftercare

Plants should be gradually hardened off by placing them outside, in a sheltered position, during the day.

A cold frame with the lid open is ideal for this. If it is very cold during the day close the lid, but watch out for excess condensation.

If there is excess condensation prop the cold frame lid open slightly until the condensation disappears.

Bring them in at night to avoid severe frosts.

When they are ready for planting out, make sure it is after the last frosts.

Lathyrus will benefit from regular weekly feeds of a good quality liquid fertiliser.

Dead head lathyrus weekly, this will ensure a continuous flush of flowers.

If you have any queries or comments please feel free to

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