Sweet pea 'Just Julia' Lathyrus odoratus 'Just Julia'

Water

Sweet peas should be watered deeply and thoroughly once a week to encourage proper root growth, adding about one gallon of water per plant. During the warmer seasons or in particularly dry weather, the frequency may need to increase to twice a week. It's important to avoid overhead watering to prevent diseases, instead focus the water at the base of the plant. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so ensure that soil is moist but well-drained and never waterlogged.

Light

Sweet peas thrive in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily, which encourages strong growth and plentiful flowering. The best spot for planting sweet peas would be an area where they are exposed to morning sunlight and protected from the hot afternoon sun, especially in hotter climates. Ensure they have some light afternoon shade to prevent overheating and stress on the plants.

Temperature

Sweet peas prefer cool to moderate temperatures, thriving best where daytime highs are between 55 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit and night-time temperatures do not dip below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. They can survive a light frost but hot temperatures above 80 degrees Fahrenheit can inhibit flowering. The ideal growing conditions are cool and consistent temperatures within this range.

Pruning

Prune sweet peas to encourage bushier growth and more blooms. Pinch off the top inch once the plant has several leaves to stimulate side shoots. Deadhead spent blossoms regularly to promote continuous flowering. Pruning is best done during the cool part of the day, and typically sweet peas should be checked weekly for deadheading and cutting back any overgrowth.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Sweet Pea 'Just Julia' thrives in rich, well-draining soil with a pH ranging from 6.0 to 7.5. A good mix consists of loamy garden soil, compost, and perlite or sand to aid drainage. Adding aged manure or granular fertilizer will provide essential nutrients for healthy growth and blooming.

Repotting

Sweet Pea 'Just Julia' is typically grown as an annual, so repotting is not usually necessary. If started indoors, transplant seedlings to the garden after the last frost date. In containers, ensure there is room for growth at the beginning of the season.

Humidity & Misting

Sweet Pea 'Just Julia' does well in average garden humidity. It prefers outdoor conditions where natural humidity levels are suitable for growth. Protect it from dry, scorching winds which can reduce humidity and stress the plant.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place Sweet Pea 'Just Julia' in bright, indirect light and keep soil moist.

• Outdoor

  Plant Sweet Pea 'Just Julia' in full sun, enrich soil with compost, and water regularly.

• Hardiness zone

  2-11 USDA

Life cycle

Sweet pea 'Just Julia' starts its life when the seeds germinate, preferably after a period of cold stratification or after being nicked to encourage sprouting. Seedlings emerge and develop a root system and true leaves, initially forming a small bushy plant. As the plant matures, it enters a vigorous vegetative growth phase, where it produces long climbing stems and tendrils that grasp onto supports. This is followed by the flowering stage, where fragrant, colorful flowers bloom in clusters, typically appearing in late spring or early summer. Once pollinated, these flowers develop into seed pods, and as the pods mature, they dry out and release seeds, completing the reproductive cycle. The plant is an annual, so after seed set, it will die back, having completed its life cycle within one growing season.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring to early summer

• The Sweet Pea 'Just Julia' can be propagated through seed sowing. The best time to sow Sweet Pea seeds is either in late October to November or from January to early April, depending on your local climate conditions. To propagate by seeds, soak the seeds in water for 24 hours before planting. This softens the seed coat and speeds up germination. Plant the seeds about an inch deep (2.54 cm, 25.4 mm) in pots or trays filled with good seed compost. Place the pots in a cold frame or a sheltered outdoor area if sowing in autumn, or indoors if sowing during late winter or early spring. Germination can take between 7 to 15 days, and once the seedlings develop true leaves, they can be transplanted to their final growing position.