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Varieties
Manoa Sugar is recommended for growing in Hawaii. It was developed by the Department of Tropical Plant & Soil Sciences for Hawaii growing conditions and is resistant to powdery mildew. Other varieties, such as Mammoth Melting Sugar and Dwarf Grey Sugar edible-podded peas, or Little Marvel shelling pea, may sometimes perform well during the winter or at higher elevations, but they are not as reliable as Manoa Sugar.
Seed Availability
Seed of Manoa Sugar is available from the Department of Tropical Plant & Soil Sciences of the University of Hawaii and at some garden shops.
Seed of other varieties is available from garden shops or from Mainland seed catalogues.
Irrigation
Irrigate peas on a regular basis so that there is a sufficient water supply for the plants at all times. Any setback early in the growth of the plants will result in smaller, weaker plants with reduced yields.
Edible-podded peas (also called Chinese peas and sugar peas) are usually considered to be a cool weather crop but they will produce an adequate crop in low elevations, especially if an adapted variety is used and the plants are kept free from insects and diseases. The only difference between edible-podded peas and shelled peas is in the tenderness of the pod. Edible-podded peas can also be allowed to mature further and then be harvested for the peas, like other varieties.
The main effects of high temperature on pea plants are to hasten maturity and shorten the useful lives of the plants. In addition, most cool-season adapted varieties are not resistant to diseases that may occur in warm climates.
The most common diseases of peas are Pythium and Rhizoctonia root rot, root-knot nematodes, and powdery mildew. To control Pythium, Rhizoctonia, and root-knot nematodes, plant in clean soil, or use a captan terraclor preplanting soil treatment and nematic ide fumigation. Powdery mildew should be controlled by planting the resistant variety Manoa Sugar.
Peas do not have a very vigorous root system and are very susceptible to root-knot nematodes and pathogenic soil diseases that cause damping-off. Plant peas in clean soil, or fumigate the soil if nematodes or damping-off organisms are present. The soil sh ould be well drained and neither too acid nor too alkaline. On very acid soils, an application of lime will be useful; on the soils with high pH, fertilizers that lower the pH (like ammonium sulfate) should be benefitial. They will also benefit from incor poration of organic matter.
Apply general garden fertilizer, such as 10-30-10, at a rate of about 2.5 to 3 pounds per 100 square feet at time of planting and again at the same rate when blooming starts, about 4 weeks after planting.
Harvest the pods of edible-podded peas before the seeds start to swell but when the pod has reached its maximum length, about 5 to 7 days after flowering. Since the pods develop very rapidly, it is necessary to harvest every day for best quality. If shell ed peas are desired, the pods may be allowed to develop until the peas are the desired size.
Insects that may trouble peas are cutworms, aphids, whiteflies, leafminers, mites, and pod borers. Damage is not usually severe, and spraying may be omitted unless the insect infestation becomes very heavy. Insecticides suggested to control these insects are malathion, diazinon, and dimethoate (Cygon). Do not spray diazinon within 7 days of harvest, malathion within 3 days of harvest, or dimethoate within several hours of harvest.
Seeds should be planted about 1-1 l/2 inches deep in single rows about 30 inches apart or in 12- to 15- inch double rows spaced 36 to 40 inches apart, and about 4 inches apart in the row. A string or pole trellis 4-5 feet high should be provided for the p lants to climb on by the time vining starts, which is about 2 weeks after planting.
