Mange tout

[WeeGarden]

Hello... can some help?

How long should it take mange tout to crop?
I sowed my seeds indoors early March and transplanted out in early April. They're going great guns and are about 3 feet tall, but no sign of flowers yet... is this normal? They seem to be quite 'leafy'.

Thanks in advance!

[Flummery]

Mine are still growing leaves too. It may depend on the variety - some can get to aout 5 ft so they've still got some leaf to make before they flower.

[Bramble_killer]

I can't even get mine to germinate , I may need to go and find some plants.

[WeeGarden]

Thanks Flummery - I've never had much luck with mange tout in my last garden as I think the soil was bad, so they only ever grew into spindly things. I was worried that this soil was TOO good, and so all I'd get was leafy growth.

Bramblekiller - have you tried soaking them overnight or even a couple of days and then planting when they've sprouted a little? I had some left over sprouted ones which I just chucked into a corner and they're growing too.

[Bramble_killer]

That's what I'm trying at the moment, leaving them to soak until they show some signs.

A gardener at work also told me to sow loads as they don't germinate well, she sows 40-50 for 10-20 plants, not quite sure how true that is

[Keith2202]

That's what I'm trying at the moment, leaving them to soak until they show some signs.

A gardener at work also told me to sow loads as they don't germinate well, she sows 40-50 for 10-20 plants, not quite sure how true that is

Unless she grows a very hard to grow variety, it sounds rather odd to me. I sowed about 25 and maybe 1 didn't germinate!

I think I sowed mine about the same time as WeeGarden, they are about 4 foot high and flowers have just appeared over the last couple of days. No idea how long until the munching starts

[finefencer]

Mine are just starting to flower.....I started them in the green house and now they are outside and have been for about two weeks....mmmm

[WeeGarden]

A gardener at work also told me to sow loads as they don't germinate well, she sows 40-50 for 10-20 plants, not quite sure how true that is

They should swell overnight and you should see sprouting a few days later.

I agree with Keith - sounds a bit odd. The reason I had extra was cos I grew from seed with a sow by date of 2008, so maybe about 2-3 years old, so I allowed extra. I would guess that 90% of them germinated.

SWEETpeas, on the other hand.... sowed two packets and NOTHING has come up! *bawl*

I'm SO jealous of the mange tout flowers here! *bawl* *bawl* *bawl*