To control sweet peas, particularly for maximizing flower production and managing vertical growth, you can use training methods like cordon training. This involves carefully managing the plant's structure from a young age.
Controlling Growth with Cordon Training
One effective way to control sweet peas is through cordon training. This method focuses the plant's energy on developing a strong main stem and abundant flowers, rather than bushy side growth.
Steps for Cordon Training
Based on the reference provided, cordon training involves specific actions:
- Remove Sideshoots: All the sideshoots that form on the main stem are carefully removed when they form.
- Remove Tendrils: Similarly, all the... tendrils are carefully removed when they form.
- Tie Regularly: The plants have to be tied in regularly to the canes or other vertical supports as they grow taller.
Why These Steps Control the Plant
By removing sideshoots and tendrils, you direct the plant's energy primarily towards the main stem and developing flower buds. This prevents the plant from becoming dense and tangled, ensuring all the plant's energy is put into producing flowers. Tying the main stem to a support like canes controls the plant's vertical direction and keeps it tidy and upright.
This structured approach to growth management allows you to cultivate strong, single-stemmed sweet pea plants that produce large, high-quality blooms, ideal for cutting.
