Problems with peas

[Peggy Sue]

I've never had much success with peas before but this year I thought I'd cracked it. However the pods have a white film on them with a bit of what looks like mould growing insude some. Does anyone know what this is and what I can do about it?
The peas still seem edible at the moment, can I seed save from them?

[Odsox]

That sounds like mildew to me although it normally doesn't affect peas so much in early summer, that's usually a autumnal thing.
It's supposed to be brought on by foliage being wet by heavy dew while the roots are very dry.

The peas should be edible to start with but when the attack gets worse the pods get very distorted and the peas take on a distinctly fishy smell, which is a bit off-putting
I think if you save seed you will almost certainly risk spreading the disease to next years crop.

Edited to say I just re-read your post
Probably not mildew as that usually most noticeable on the leaves first. Some varieties of peas do have a mealy white film on the pods and flecks of white inside the pods ... as far as I know that's perfectly normal (at least I have always considered it so)

[Peggy Sue]

Thanks Tony, I had looked up the problem but couldn't see it on the net so just hoped someone here knew. They are a heritage variety, and thinking about it the other row of peas (meteor) haven't got the white stuff so that figures now. Definitely no fishy taste and the peas are at full maturity so no foliage problems- and definitrly not damp here more like the sahara!!

I shall eat and seed save as planned