Training sweat peas downwards?

[WankersHacksandThieves]

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

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

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

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

Steve

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.

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

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.

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?

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.

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.

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