Hi, I’m Merel van den Burg and I’ve been in the floral industry for more than 25 years, as a florist and a stylist. I’m the Commercial Manager of Florismartdirect, a platform where we offer everything for the professional florist to run their business.
Lathyrus odoratus, Did You Know ?
Lathyrus odoratus, commonly called Sweet Peas, are members of the Leguminosae family. The name is derived from the Greek ‘Lathyros’ meaning pea or pulse and ‘odoratus’ meaning scented or fragrant.
And who doesn’t love a scented sweet pea? It’s certainly a favourite in many bridal bouquets. Nowadays there are so many varieties and colours to choose from, plus availability all year round, although the high season is from April to June. Growing Lathyrus seems to be a passion, just like floristry!
How its Grown
Lathyrus is grown commercially in rockwool rather than compost so crops generally suffer less from diseases. As a result, fewer pesticides are needed, which in turn is better for the environment. Cultivation starts with sowing in seed trays, and after about 2 weeks the seedlings are planted out in a glasshouse. After 10 weeks, the first flowers appear and harvesting can begin. Lathyrus is pre-treated at harvest time so that the shelf life is significantly extended.
Lathyrus Care
Cut the stems and put the Lathyrus in 3 cm of water with flower food. The flower food ensures that the water remains clean and the flowers have a longer shelf life.
Furthermore, Lathyrus is of course very photogenic, so enjoy!
