Sweet Pea RICHARD AND JUDY
Lathyrus odoratus
 
The grape-purple blossoms of Sweet Pea 'Richard & Judy' (Lathyrus odoratus) ensure favorite status for this cutting garden must-have, but the flowers, which are darkest at the base and lighter toward the petal edges, also carry an intense fragrance that makes them doubly irresistible. Long stems make for easy cutting.
Bred by Matthewman, this long-stemmed, super-fragrant variety is a must-grow .
 
Details
Life Cycle: hardy annual
Height: 6 to 8 ft
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 75 to 90 days
Sowing: 1/2-1" deep
Plant spacing: 8 in
Pinch: when 4 to 6 in tall
Approxseeds per packet: 10
 
 
How to Grow:
 
Sow ½” deep in a 5” deep pot.
Use a good compost based seed starting mix. 
Keep at 50-55 degrees for germination.
Move to 35-50 degrees in full sun for bulking up (they dont mind low winter temperatures)
Transplant in early spring into rich soil in full sun. 
 
In mild areas seeds can be sown in pots in the fall, wintered over in a sheltered spot and planted out in spring. Everywhere else, sow seeds 10-12 weeks before the last frost and plant out right around the last frost.
 
Pinching
When grown slow and cold, sweet peas will naturally branch on their own. If you see that your plant has not branched but is getting tall, you may take out the top set of leaves, provided you leave 2 or 3 sets on the plant. This will encourage robust side shoots. We never pinch as our plants almost always branch on their own. 
 
 
 
Harvesting:
Cut stems that have at least two unopened flowers at the tip
 
 
Vase life: 
 
Harvesting flowers increases blooms. Vase Life: 4-6 days.