Lathyrus Odoratus Seeds

Lathyrus Odoratus Seeds

Lathyrus Odoratus turns every garden into a lively, vibrant place. The sweetly scented, delicate flowers attract bees and butterflies. Some bee species collect nectar only from leguminous plants, so by sowing Lathyrus you are helping these bees tremendously. The seeds of this Lathyrus are from a very old variety, producing small flowers with an exceptionally strong fragrance. Pick the flowers frequently — this will encourage more blooms. A small bunch of these pastel-colored flowers will fill your room with a lovely scent. Use only a small amount of water in the vase, as Lathyrus needs plenty of light and air.

How to Sow Lathyrus

• This Lathyrus variety can grow up to 200 cm (6.5 ft) tall. It’s best to set up some netting first for support.
• You can sow indoors (in a deep tray) from mid-February and outdoors from the end of March.
• Soak the hard seeds overnight in water. It’s not strictly necessary, but it speeds up germination.
• Sow the seeds in loose soil about 3–4 cm (1–1.5 in) deep and 20 cm (8 in) apart. If sowing in a pot, make sure it’s deep enough — Lathyrus develops long roots.
• Help the seedlings climb the netting. You can encourage side shoots by pinching out the growing tip once the plant reaches about 50 cm (20 in) in height.
• Feed with extra potassium fertilizer once flowering begins.
• For a longer flowering period up to October, sow again after about four weeks in the same spot.
• Pick the flowers often and remove any that have finished blooming.
• Enjoy the flowers, the bees and butterflies, and their wonderful fragrance.