Troubleshooting
Telephone Pea problems — and how to fix them
Telephone Pea (Pisum sativum 'Alderman') is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Powdery mildew
White coating on leaves in warm, dry late-season spells. Improve airflow, water at the base, and choose resistant strains; sow early to crop before the worst of it.
Pea moth
Maggots inside pods from eggs laid at flowering. Sow early or late to dodge the main flight, or cover with fine mesh during bloom.
Poor pod set in heat
Flowers drop and pods fail to fill above ~24°C. This is a cool-season pea — time sowings for spring and autumn, not midsummer.
Lodging / collapse
At 2 m-plus the vines topple without strong support. Install tall trellis or netting at sowing and tie in growth regularly.
Prevent telephone pea problems before they start
Most telephone pea issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Looking for telephone pea in general rather than its problems? Read the full telephone pea care guide — light, water, soil and feeding.
Telephone Pea problems — FAQ
Why is my telephone pea powdery mildew?
White coating on leaves in warm, dry late-season spells. Improve airflow, water at the base, and choose resistant strains; sow early to crop before the worst of it.
Why is my telephone pea pea moth?
Maggots inside pods from eggs laid at flowering. Sow early or late to dodge the main flight, or cover with fine mesh during bloom.
Why is my telephone pea poor pod set in heat?
Flowers drop and pods fail to fill above ~24°C. This is a cool-season pea — time sowings for spring and autumn, not midsummer.
Why is my telephone pea lodging / collapse?
At 2 m-plus the vines topple without strong support. Install tall trellis or netting at sowing and tie in growth regularly.