When to set out Sweet Pea Plants started in Egg Shell Halves

15 years ago

I got the idea at Garden Web to save my egg shell halves and use them as seed generators. Therefore, I have planted sweet pea seeds, and so far 10 out of 12 have germinated. The Egg shell tray sits in the sun all day, and I am watching them begin to get their little leaves. These are bush type sweet peas.

How big do the seedlings need to get before I crack these shells and put them in the ground? This is the first time I tried this and I'm thrilled that so many have germinated. I'm just not sure when to set them in the ground.

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Comments (5)

yiorges-z5il
15 years ago
Normally 8-10 weeks after germination. BUT soil volume & water retention of the "egg shell tray" is a concern.
Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you for your reply. I was worried about the soil volume also because I read that Sweet Peas are heavy feeders. The water is no problem. I poked a drainage hole in each egg shell before I put the potting soil in, and watered them well. They all drained out and I misted them every day to keep them damp.

This morning I set one out. I broke a lot of the shell, especially the bottom and pressed damp dirt around it. It's my test plant. If it makes it through the day, I'll plant the rest tomorrow.

They should be planted directly in the ground, but I was afraid the gardners would weed whack them before they bloomed. The little egg shell planters showing above the ground should give them a clue that these are MY plants and not weeds... Sigh I have a border for plants between my pool and the golf course. I can't wait to see the beauty these sweet peas will bring.

I had a new one poke it's little head through the soil today, so all but one seed has "hatched." I like the fact that the egg shell will add nutrients to the soil and help my little sweet peas do what they do best, bloom and smell soooooooo sweet!

My next effort in my egg shell "incubators" will be fennel seeds and nasturtium. It's very hot here (108-114 degrees average) in the summer, so I'm starting early. The heat starts in June. It rarely freezes here but I'll know from the news if it is going to freeze, and I'll cover my seedlings to protect them.

And also, just so you know I never crack my eggs in the middle anymore because I want more soil volume for the seedlings. I crack the top off, let the egg slip out, rinse the shell, and THEN back in the tray it goes for my little seeds. When the eggs are all gone, I have a dozen new little pots for seeds.

Since the shells are good for all plants, I use the tops mixed with my coffee grounds as a sort of mulch. My jalepeno peppers LOVE it!!

Thanks again for your reply:-)
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Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b
Original Author
15 years ago
This is a sad day. My test plant looks dead! It is still green, but has bent so it's leaves are kissing the ground.

All the plants in the egg shells have leaves and look fabulous, but now I'm afraid to put them in the ground. I had 100% germination and I got my seeds online. I may have to resort to planting in the ground.

I KNEW you can't transplant sweet peas, but I wanted to try. This whole experiment failed, and now I have 10 in their egg shell homes doing just fine. I fear the transplant. I will be very sad if they die. I feel like a murderer! Sigh.. Stay tuned.
Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b
Original Author
15 years ago
Update! Over two days ago I decided to put the other plants in the ground. They all had 2 sets of leaves and looked pretty established. Therefore, I whacked the bottom of the egg shells and cracked them off. I was surprised to see so many white roots there. I then made cracks in 2 sides and gently put them in ground mixed with potting soil and vermiculite. They are FINE and growing new leaves! I'm glad I only murdered the first one. I guess I set it out too early. Lesson learned. Wait till they get established.
Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b
Original Author
15 years ago
Update! They are all alive and growing. They are from 4" to 6" tall now. They seem happy! I now have some chili peppers started in my little egg shells! When I get blossoms, I'll take a picture!

When to set out Sweet Pea Plants started in Egg Shell Halves

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yiorges-z5il

Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b
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When to set out Sweet Pea Plants started in Egg Shell Halves

Comments (5)

yiorges-z5il

Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9bOriginal Author

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