Best Sweet Peas for Cut Flowers
Introduction
Sweet peas are a popular choice for cut flowers because of their delicate fragrance and beautiful blooms. They come in a wide range of colors and varieties, so you can find the perfect ones to match your taste.
Choosing the Best Sweet Peas for Cutting
The best sweet peas for cutting are those with long, straight stems and a strong fragrance. You should also look for varieties that are resistant to disease and pests.
Some of the best varieties for cut flowers include:
- Matucana: An old variety that is still considered one of the best.
- Dynasty: A reliable variety with strong pink flowers.
- White Supreme: A vigorous variety with long stems and a good fragrance.
- King Edward VII: A highly fragrant heirloom variety with brilliant magenta flowers.
- Erewhon: A striking cultivar with bicolour flowers and a delicious scent.
- Mollie Rilstone: A pretty picotee variety with white flowers blushed with pink.
- Just Julia: An excellent mid-blue variety with a strong scent.
Tips for Growing Sweet Peas for Cut Flowers
To grow the best sweet peas for cut flowers, follow these tips:
- Train your sweet peas with the cordon method: This method will help to produce long, straight stems.
- Pick your sweet peas regularly: This will encourage them to produce more flowers.
- Cut your sweet peas in the morning or early evening: This is when the plants are least likely to be stressed and dehydrated.
- Cut the stems as long as you can: This will give you more flowers to enjoy.
- Plunge the stems into cold water immediately: This will help to prevent them from wilting.
How to Cut Sweet Peas for Cut Flowers
To cut sweet peas for cut flowers, follow these steps:
- Cut the stems as long as you can, collecting them in one hand as you work.
- When your hand is full, plunge the bunch into a bucket of cold water, placed nearby in the shade.
- Continue to pick until you have the desired number of flowers.
- Cheat a bit of extra length by cutting short stems right back to the plant, including a few twining tendrils to add to the vase display.
Sweet Pea Cut Flower Care
To keep your sweet peas looking their best, follow these care tips:
- Change the water in the vase every few days.
- Keep the vase in a cool, shady spot.
- Remove any dead or wilted flowers.
With proper care, your sweet peas will last for up to two weeks in a vase.
Conclusion
Sweet peas are a beautiful and fragrant addition to any vase. By following the tips in this article, you can grow and care for your own sweet peas to enjoy for weeks to come.
