The Fragrance of Summer

Each year I make a point of planting Sweetpeas. This year I have sown seeds called Matucana  they have the most beautiful lingering old fashioned scent, I saved the seed from last year. I planted the seeds in early spring in root trainers which are long pots, loo rolls also work very well and used ordinary potting compost. I usually use my propogator as it speeds up germination. Once they are strong enough, I pinch out the leading shoot to encourage side shoots making the plant more vigourous. I had an obelisk made last year to grow the sweetpeas up and it seems to work very well supporting them. It looks very attractive when completely covered with flowers. I apply some compost from my own compost heap as a mulch to the soil and some potash to promote flowers. As the young plants grow I tie them to the frame and remove some of the tendrils. These take energy from the flowers and attach themselves to the stem  bending them into curvy shapes. Once the flowers develop I pick them every day usually early morning when the stems have a higher water content, this ensures a longer vaselife. To avoid floppy plants in the vase I sear the stems in boiling water for a few seconds and then immediately pop into a pretty vase and enjoy the fruits of my labour. The jewel like colours of Matucana remind me of Amethyst. I am hoping I might be able to use some for Rachel's wedding, so this year I am experimenting to see how long I can keep them going. There are two other types I might try one is Painted Lady and Black Knight good scent but Matucana has the edge for me.