Some of the asparagus peas have been transplanted from the propagator into root trainers on the window sill.

35 asparagus peas planted on 5 April are germinating unevenly. 3 started to emerge, after 8 days in the heated propagator. By day 20, nine pea seeds have germinated and emerged.

The problem with uneven germination is that the emerged seedlings need different conditions from the un-chitted pea seeds. Before the seeds germinate, the louvres on the heated propagator are kept closed, to provide a humid atmosphere. After germination the louvres should be opened, so that the air can dry out, otherwise fungal diseases develop and the seedlings die. This happens with ‘damping off’ of seedlings.

So that those pea seeds which have not germinated can be kept moist, with the louvres of the propagator closed, the tiny pea seedlings have been taken out. These pea seedlings would not do well in the moist atmosphere, so they are now on the window sill. Each seedling has been transplanted into a toilet roll holder (loo rolls in the UK & t.p. rolls in the USA!) - which acts as a root trainer. Peas and beans have very long tap roots and root trainers allow their roots to grow down.

When these asparagus peas are eventually transplanted into the vegetable garden, the complete cardboard holder will be planted, so that the roots are not disturbed and will continue to grow as if nothing has happened. The cardboard holder will rot away.

Click this link for more information on root trainers & long pots for peas & beans

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TopVeg has not grown the asparagus pea before and is our entry for the Growing Challenge.