Pea yield comparison...

[aquilegia]

I sowed some purple mange tout peas in March and planted one out in a big pot (about 14in across) in April under a fleece tent. Fleece gradually came off until they were nekid in mid May.

Planted out another plant in mid May. (only two germinated!) That went straight into the ground.

Plant one is thriving and has so far produced enough pods for several meals. Plant two has been struggling and only produced a couple of pods.

What would've had more effect on their relative yields - time of planting? Pot/ground? whatever? The pot soil is probably richer (50% last year's growing medium from the tomatoes (half homemade compost, half soil) and 50% new HM compost). The ground had compost, manure and chicken manure dug in. Might there still be residue in the pot from last year's tomato feed?

Basically I want to know if they grow well in pots and should I just do them in pots next year, where they are also easier to protect from snails/slugs.

[aquilegia]

[Mrs Ava]

My purple mange tout (thinks Multiveg!) have been  great, altho they could have done with  a touch more water!  Mine were planted late, directly, in mid April and germinated in days!

They are planted in well composted ground, and have really been left to it!  They have been smothered in bees.

Number one son grow 12 pea plants in a section of his growbag garden, and they did really well, he picked at least 36 pods, all full, and no wigglies in them, unlike my alderman peas on the plot!

I think it might just be a case of 'one of those things' and have another go next year, or this if you still have seed left and the room!!

[john_miller]

I would go for left over nutrients rather than "things just happening"(EJ!). Remember Tomorite, or its equivalents, is very high in K. K is the nutrient that stimulates reproductive growth in every plant, not just tomatoes.

[aquilegia]

Thanks John (and EJ). I think next year I may have to do a slightly more scientific experiment with comparison of pots and ground. If I can be bothered to organise myself that much!

[Mrs Ava]

Oh John!   Please let me have the old, 'well, it's just one of those things' excuse when things go wrong!  :D :D