I have great difficulty starting off peas using the old gutter trick. They seeds start to swell and then they rot. I start them off in my greenhouse which is heated to stay above about 5degC but I have never had success yet. I am in Aberdeen so it can get cold but I thought they should be OK in the greenhouse. Any thoughts?
Sounds like they are too wet!
Try this method; http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Peas/Peas/peas.html (http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Peas/Peas/peas.html) its easier than the guttering method.
At least you can move the trays much easier!
When I sow my peas in gutters, I'll give them good soak and then they are not watered untill the compost start to dry out..and often that is when they have pushed through..
...so yes sounds like too much water..
..and another thought...
do you compress the compost much..?
I use a similar method to TeeGee's, but with 3-inch pots not modules. I put up to 12 in a pot. As it's a cold spring and I'm growing a lot of rarities, I'm starting them on the windowsill in the warm. Once they're up, they go in the mini-greenhouses on the top shelf where they'll be well away from any mice. So far this year I've planted 17 varieties and haven't had a failure yet. The main thing to watch is temperature; the wrinkle-seeded varieties rot very easily as you've noticed.
Thanks all. I have started a new gutter with added drainage and a 50/30/20 sand compost vermiculite mix. Hopefully it will have excellent drainage and solve the problem.
Neil
It would probably be best to wait till the weather warms up a bit.
Try roottrainers. It has always worked for me!
I soak my peas for 6-12 hours max - too long is a killer.
Then sow them in a broad dent in the compost - the difference is that I cover them with coir - the much more open texture ensures that oxygen gets to the peas when they need it ie. when they are burning starch to produce roots and shoots.
This works with either guttering or modules and definitely improve survival rates though it's never 100% - low temperature seems to be the other killer - they are never safe from this until the sprout opens its leaves, and even then too much water in the compost can kill them.
Thanks again. I'm obviously not alone. I like the coir on top and I have used vermiculite so I suppose it's similar. So far the latest sowing is swelling nicely so hoping for the best.
Neil