Description of 30 varieties and types of sweet peas, planting and growing from seeds

Sweet pea or sweet pea is a cultivated species of ornamental perennial herbaceous plant. It is grown for landscaping and as an ornamental crop. China has many varieties and types. Many of them grow wild and are found in the natural environment. Breeders have bred more than 1000 varieties of peas.

Description and features

Sweet pea belongs to the legume family, genus genus. Its peculiarity is the symbiosis of the root system with beneficial bacteria, which enrich the plant with nitrogen. This is a perennial crop, however, in the middle zone it is grown as an annual crop.

The plant is a creeping plant, clinging to a support, forming dense stems, reaching 1.5 - 2 meters in length. The leaves are elongated, lanceolate in shape. There are tendrils on the stem with which China clings to the support. Flowers vary in color depending on the type and variety. They consist of large petals, the inflorescences resemble a moth. Each brush contains 5–12 flowers.

Flower shoots are formed after the formation of 9 internodes, in later varieties after 12 internodes. Flowering begins at the end of June and ends in September. After flowering, seeds are formed in the form of beans.

Important! The fruits of sweet peas are poisonous and their use as food is prohibited.

Kinds

China has wild and cultivated species. Many of them can be found in their natural environment in forests, fields, and on the edges.

Peas or sweet peas

Plant height is from 2 to 2.5 meters, peduncles are from 12 to 18 centimeters. The flowers are light pink, almost white. It has been studied by botanists since the 17th century. Inflorescences contain 4–9 flowers. The foliage is light green, pinnate, and ends in tendrils. Peas bloom in July and continue to bloom until the end of August. The seeds are golden brown.

Fragrant

Annual climbing plant. Grown as an ornamental plant.It reaches a height of almost 2 meters. Flowering begins in July and lasts 2 months. It takes root well in the middle zone and produces lush inflorescences of various colors.

Lesnaya

A perennial herbaceous plant, reaching a height of up to 2.5 meters. The leaves are lanceolate, the flowers are bright pink or purple. A branched plant that clings to neighboring plants and grows on forest edges, clearings, and next to bushes.

Sochevichnik spring

The plant is low, the leaves are single-pinnate, lanceolate, elongated. Common in deciduous forests. Flowering occurs at the end of May or beginning of June. Forms bright purple or pink inflorescences. After flowering, the petals do not fall off, but remain to form seeds.

Tuberous

Perennial, herbaceous plant. The leaves are wide. Lanceolate in shape with antennae. The crop blooms in June and until the end of August. The stem is branching, the flowers are bright red, with a characteristic pleasant smell. Chin is a weed plant that is common in grain fields.

Gmelin

The species reaches a height of up to 1.5 meters. The flowers are collected in inflorescences, at the beginning of flowering their color is light yellow, towards the end they become orange. Peas bloom for 2 months, starting from the end of June, then form brown fruits. The leaves are green, lanceolate.

Popular varieties

Breeders all over the world have been developing new varieties of china. Many of them were developed in the last century and are still popular today.

Duplex

The culture has strong stems, forms flowers with a double sail, collected in inflorescences of 5–6 pieces. Blooms from mid-summer until August. Produces brown fruits. It is an annual.

Cream

Chin reaches a height of 100 cm, flowering begins at the end of June.Light beige flowers are formed, collected in inflorescences of 4–5 pieces. The diameter of the flower is 5 cm. The peduncles are large, up to 20 cm. The leaves are bright green, with tendrils.

Galaxy

The variety was bred in the 60s of the 20th century. Peas reach a height of 2 meters, form dense inflorescences of 5-9 flowers. The flowers are double, their edges are wavy. Peduncles are up to 50 cm long. Leaves with tendrils are bright green. The flowers are blue, purple or beige.

Neptune

Creeping variety, with long peduncles up to 30 cm, lush inflorescences of 5 - 7 bright blue flowers with a white base. The plant reaches a height of 1.5 meters. Planted next to fences and fences.

Milky Way

A branched plant with a dense stem, reaching a length of 1.5 meters. Flowering begins at the end of June. Forms lush inflorescences of 4–5 light beige flowers. Peduncles are strong, about 20 cm. Leaves have tendrils.

Bijou

Bijou was bred by American breeders in the 60s of the 20th century. This dwarf crop is suitable for planting along borders and alleys. The stems are dense, reaching a height of up to 45 cm, the inflorescences are collected in bunches of 4 - 5 flowers of bright purple or burgundy color. The flowers are double with wavy edges.

Spencer

Plants of medium maturity with dense stems, up to 2 meters high. The inflorescences form clusters of 4–5 flowers. Recommended for cultivation for landscaping purposes. The flowers are large, up to 5 cm in diameter, green with tendrils, lanceolate. Flowers are purple, pink, crimson, and beige.

Warriay

Multi-stem crop up to 2 meters high. The flowers are bright purple in color, collected in inflorescences of 4–5 pieces. Peduncles are straight, 20 cm long. Flower diameter is about 40 mm.The leaves are elongated green.

Jumbo

The height of the stem is about 1 meter, the flowers are pink-orange, bright, collected in rosettes of 4-6 pieces. Peas have a characteristic pleasant smell, the flowers are about 4 cm in diameter. The peduncles are straight, up to 20 cm long.

Charlotte

The stems are dense, with green leaves, attached by tendrils. It reaches a height of 1.5 meters. The inflorescences are bright pink, crimson, about 4.5 cm in diameter. The flowers are collected in rosettes of 2–4 pieces. Peduncles are straight, 25 cm long.

Cream Gigantic

A climbing plant with a dense stem 1.8 meters long. Forms inflorescences of 4 – 5 white, milky flowers. Peduncles are straight, 30 cm long. The leaves are green, elongated with pointed ends.

Cuthberson – Floribunda

China was developed by American breeders in the 50s of the 20th century. The stems are low-growing, up to 30 cm long, with peduncles up to 7 cm, consisting of 2 - 3 flowers. Used to decorate beds and low fences. The color can be red, bright pink or white.

David

The height of the stem is 1.5 meters. It produces green leaves with tendrils and lanceolate shape. The inflorescences consist of 5 – 6 flowers, 5 cm in diameter. Their color is bright purple with small white spots. Peduncles 30 cm long.

Kenneth

The stems are dense and up to 1 meter high. Forms lush inflorescences of 5 - 6 crimson flowers, with small white spots. The diameter of the flower is 4 cm, they have wavy edges. Peduncles are straight, about 16 cm.

White Pearl

A tall climbing plant, the stems reach 1.8 meters. Peduncles are 30 cm long, the inflorescences are large, consisting of 5 - 7 white flowers. The diameter of the flower is 45 mm.

Grace

The leaves are green, elongated with tendrils.The stems grow up to 1.5 meters and cling to support. Flowers bloom in early June. They have a delicate lilac color with bright purple stripes. Collected in inflorescences of 5–6 pieces. Dense peduncles reach 35 cm in length.

Ramona

A climbing plant up to 1.3 meters long. Flowers with a diameter of 50 mm are collected in lush inflorescences of 5 - 7 pieces. The color is bright pink-red. The peduncle is dense, 30 cm long.

Lucien

A low-growing variety. The length of the stem is 50 – 60 cm. The flowers are located at the top and are light pink in color. The inflorescences consist of 8 – 12 flowers, with wavy edges.

Lisette

A low-growing crop, about 40–60 cm high, the flowers are bright red, with a very pleasant fragrant aroma. The leaves are green, elongated, pinnate.

Growing seedlings from seeds

To grow seedlings from seeds, it is necessary to prepare them, select the soil and plant them correctly.

Seed preparation

Before planting, the seeds are soaked in hot water for 10 hours. Then they are dipped in sawdust and kept for 3–4 days at a temperature of 18–20 °C. After the seeds germinate, they are lowered into the soil. This procedure is carried out in early March.

Important! In the southern regions, seeds are planted in open ground without soaking.

Soil selection and preparation

Peas prefer moist peat soil. It can be purchased ready-made at flower shops. You can also compose it yourself. To do this take:

• peat 2 parts;
• humus 2 parts;
• turf soil 2 parts;
• sand 1 part.

How to plant

When growing seedlings, the mixture is placed in plastic pots. Water the soil with warm water and allow time to soak. Make a small depression about 2 cm. Place the seeds there and cover with earth.I germinate after harvesting the seeds only for the first 2 to 5 years.

Topping

After the formation of 2 - 3 strong leaves, they are pinched to form side shoots. After pinching, the plants are fertilized.

Watering

The crop needs to be watered regularly; the china loves moist soil. During the flowering period, watering is carried out every week. Per square meter of crop, 35 liters of water are spent at a time. Water is distributed near the roots, trying not to touch the leaves.

Top dressing

During the growing season, fertilizing is carried out three times. The first at the beginning of pea growth, the second at the beginning of flowering, and the third at the height of flowering.

First

Carry out after sprouts appear and pinching. Nitrogen mineral fertilizer and urea are added to the soil.

Second

At the moment the buds set and the first flowers bloom, add 1 tbsp. l Agricola and potassium sulfate. The mixture is diluted in 10 liters of water and watered the plant.

Third

In the midst of flowering, peas need a large amount of minerals. Add 1 tbsp to the soil. l Agricola and Rossa. The dry mixture is diluted with 10 liters of water and watered.

Garter

Tall climbing varieties are planted next to fences, shelving or other supports. When the peas grow, they are tied to a support so as not to damage the plant during strong winds and rains.

Trimming

During the flowering period, the plant does not need special pruning. Old inflorescences are periodically removed. This promotes the formation of new flower stalks. At the end of the season, the perennial tree is cut to the ground and covered for the winter.

Transfer

In unsuitable soil, peas grow poorly and produce inflorescences uncharacteristic for the variety. In addition to the soil, there may be insufficient lighting and a constant draft.In this case, it is recommended to change the growing location. To do this, dig up the bush and grab the soil with its roots. The plant is transferred to a new site prepared in advance. The chin is planted after first clearing the roots from the previous soil. The stem is hilled at the base to accelerate the formation of new roots.

Diseases and pests

Sweet peas are susceptible to infection and attack by harmful insects. When the first signs appear, it is necessary to treat with special drugs.

Aphid

Small insects that feed on china leaves. They are localized on the underside of the leaf, forming a black coating. Insecticides are used to combat them.

Nodule weevil

Insects feed on the roots, leaves and fruits of legumes. The larvae lay in the soil and infect the roots. To combat them, regularly hill up the crop and use insecticides.

Ascochyta blight

It affects the upper leaves of the plant, shoots and fruits. They develop yellow spots with a black halo. The disease is caused by a fungus. At an advanced stage, it affects the seeds of the plant. Fungicides are used to combat it.

Powdery mildew

The infection appears when there is high moisture. The immunity of the crop decreases and powdery mildew develops. It affects the leaves, forms a white coating on them, and spreads quickly. To combat it, damaged shoots are removed and the bush is sprayed with fungicide or copper sulfate.

Downy mildew

Externally, the disease looks like powdery mildew. Light yellow spots form on leaves, shoots, buds and flowers. The plant is affected by frequent rains and low temperatures. To eliminate the problem, spray with copper sulfate.

Fusarium

A microscopic fungus that attacks the leaves of a plant. Develops during frequent rains and unfavorable weather conditions. The disease begins on the lower leaves and black spots form on them. The leaf blades gradually turn yellow and dry out. When signs appear, treat with a fungicide.

Root rot

With increased watering and frequent rains, root rot occurs. The root system of the plant rots, the roots become soft and fall off from the base. The plant does not receive proper nutrition and begins to slowly die. To prevent development, drainage is formed before planting.

Blackleg

A gray coating forms on the root area of ​​the stem. The stem becomes soft and turns black. The fungus begins to attack the roots of the tree, and the plant dies. It is almost impossible to save the plant. When signs appear, it is removed from the site and destroyed.

Viral mosaic

Important! To prevent infection of the crop, treatment with fungicides and insecticides is carried out at the beginning of the growing season.

Preparing for winter

Annual pea varieties are dug up and destroyed. Perennial varieties, after pruning, cover for the winter. To do this, use straw, sawdust or special breathable fabrics.

Secrets

Secrets to successfully growing sweet peas:

• When planting seedlings or seeds, it is necessary to lay drainage to drain excess liquid.
• At the beginning of the growing season, preventive treatment against infections and pests is carried out.
• China prefers areas with good lighting.
• With frequent rains, reduce watering of peas.
• Perennial plants are covered for the winter.
• Chin seeds are used only for the first 2 to 5 years.