Training sweat peas downwards?

[WankersHacksandThieves]

I put sweet peas in my hanging baskets imagining a flowing trail of beautiful flowers coming down from them.

[JT05]

They will grow towards the maximum source of light. They will flop from weight eventually.

[WankersHacksandThieves]

Hopefully - what if they work their way up the porch?

[IamSpartacusTheGardener]

Not easy! They are phototropic so grow towards light sources from the moment they germinate.

Steve

[MrsBadger]

I'd let them go where they want - they won't hurt the porch as they only twist round, not sucker on like ivy does. If they run out of things to climb they will indeed succumb to gravity.

[OllyBJolly]

You can get sweet peas for hanging baskets but they will naturally grow upwards.

[WankersHacksandThieves]

Can't believe I was so stupid :)

I'm sure they will look lovely soon - they are about a foot high and growing well but no flowers yet.

[viques]

If you want dangly it is not too late to put some nasturtium seeds in your hanging baskets, though I am not sure sweet pea and nasturtiums go together very well. Have you got room for a trailing geranium or two?

[WankersHacksandThieves]

I don't think I have room for anything - they looked very bare to begin with but they've filled out a lot (can't see any earth at all).

When I go on holiday we usually put the baskets on the ground beside the pots to make it easier for my neighbour to water them so I suppose I shouldn't really bother too much. I'm wondering if it might be as well to just pop the baskets on the ground and let them climb up.

[MrsBadger]

tbh I'd do that - my sweet peas have only just started the mad gallop so if you put them on the ground and stick a cane or two in now you'll have gorgeous columns in two weeks.

[WankersHacksandThieves]

Thanks you, It would also stop DH and the DSs banging their heads on them every time they come in the door :)