Pansies are at home in Europe and temperate areas of Asia. As indigenous inhabitants of our climate zone, pansies are very well accustomed to our weather. This is why pansies can be planted very early in the year. Because even night frosts do not bother them. Also, when it comes to soil and location, pansies are not picky.
'Colorful Garden Dwellers' are suitable not only for planting in the garden bed, but also as an undergrowth for deciduous hedges and perennials, or in a pot as a splash of color for the home and balcony. As a symbol of remembrance, pansies can often be found planted on graves.
Pansy planting time
Pansy seedlings
Pre-bred plants are fairly insensitive to cold. Therefore, plants can be planted from March to October, depending on the availability of time and motivation. That being said, you should always keep in mind that the time of planting will affect the flowering time of your pansies.
When planting in autumn, flowers are presented with a short winter break until late spring. Pansies planted in spring bloom from March through summer. Planting in spring takes advantage of a particularly large supply of young plants at the garden center or specialty store. When planting pansies in summer, you should choose a semi-shady location. Otherwise, plants that are not yet rooted in the soil may have problems in the midday sun.
Conditions for crops
For the germination of viola seeds, lighting is not important, so you can cover the container with plantings with an opaque covering material (cardboard, plastic).
Temperature and humidity are essential. For successful seed germination, it is necessary to maintain a temperature of +20-23°C, avoiding sudden changes.
An equally important parameter is soil moisture. It should not be allowed to dry out or become waterlogged. Daily ventilation of microgreenhouses for 20-30 minutes and watering when the top layer of soil dries out allows maintaining an optimal level of humidity.
When seedlings appear, the seedlings are placed in a well-lit place and the shelter is removed.
Procedure for planting pansies
Planting pansies
What to pay attention to when planting pansies. In the right place with the right soil, early flowers are extremely hardy and thrive without much effort. This is why they are also great for gardening beginners. After purchasing the plants, all that remains is to say: “Gardening tools in your hands and in the flowerbed.”
- Rake the soil thoroughly and remove weeds and rocks.
- The planting hole should be: twice the size of the root ball.
- Planting distance: 20 cm.
- Loosen the root balls slightly with your hands.
- Plant pansies and pat the ground. Fill with water and liquid fertilizer.
The planted pot should be protected from rain to prevent the substrate from becoming too wet and causing the flowers to stick together. Good water drainage and a drainage layer of broken clay, perlite or gravel are a must for plants because they are very sensitive to waterlogging.
Sowing work
Sowing viola seeds for seedlings is a simple process, but still requires care and attention from the grower. There are mainly two common methods used:
- traditional, buried in the soil;
- superficial, without embedding in the ground.
When choosing a method for sowing purchased seeds, you should carefully read the information about the plant on the package; manufacturers often indicate the desired planting method.
Traditional way
- Pour a layer of drainage (expanded clay, perlite, vermiculite) 1-1.5 cm thick into the prepared containers.
- Fill the planting containers with soil and tamp lightly.
- Moisten the soil mixture from a sprayer with settled water.
- In a common container, make shallow (0.4-0.5 cm) grooves with a stick (pencil, finger). The distance between the rows is 1.5-2 cm. In individual containers, form holes of similar depth.
- Place the prepared seeds in the depressions at a distance of 1-2 cm from each other. It is convenient to plant small-sized seeds with tweezers or a toothpick dipped in water.
- Fill the grooves (holes) with seeds with soil and water well with a spray bottle.
- Cover the seed containers with a plastic lid, polyethylene or glass to obtain a mini-greenhouse effect.
A variation of the traditional method that makes life easier for the gardener is sowing in peat tablets. It does not require preliminary soil preparation and simplifies subsequent replanting.
- Place peat tablets in a tray with high sides.
- Pour room temperature water into the tray with tablets and leave for half an hour. Drain off the remaining liquid.
- In swollen tablets, slightly widen and deepen the notch (0.3-0.4 cm).
- Using tweezers or a toothpick, place the seeds into the holes.
- Lightly sprinkle with sifted soil or river sand.
- Cover the container with film or plastic, creating a greenhouse effect.
Surface method
When sowing using this method, the seeds remain on the soil surface, which facilitates their germination.
- Fill the prepared containers with soil mixture. To prevent stagnation of water, place a 1–2 cm layer of drainage (perlite, coarse sand, expanded clay) on the bottom of the container.
- Evenly moisten the soil in the containers using a spray bottle. Use settled water for irrigation.
- Place the prepared seeds on the soil surface at intervals of 1-2 cm.
- Do not sprinkle the seeds with soil, but only lightly press them with your finger or spoon to the surface of the soil.
- Moisten the spread seeds with water from a fine sprayer, preventing them from moving along the soil surface.
- Cover containers with planting material with plastic film (glass, plastic).
A thin layer of snow placed on top of the soil mixture makes it easier to sow small dark seeds. In addition, the melted snow will moisten the soil and watering will not be required.
Pansies in a planting box
Even due to the long flowering period, pansies can be combined in incredibly diverse ways. Just be careful not to overgrow the small plants with your green neighbors. During spring bloom, pansies can be combined with other early flowers such as horn violets, daffodils, snowdrops and primroses. To accompany the fall blooms, flowering perennials such as stork's beak (geranium), milkweed (euphorbia) or funky (hosta) are suitable.
How to sow pansy seeds yourself?
Planting pansy seeds
More and more people are looking to meet some of their vegetable needs by growing their own plants from seeds. But there is no need to impose any restrictions on the supply of vegetables. Why not pamper your stomach with specially grown pansies from seeds? To do this, simply follow these steps:
- Fill the growing tray with daughter mixture;
- Sow the seeds on the ground, then just apply light pressure.
Germination temperature: 15 - 18 C. Location: good lighting. Germination time: about 10 days
Sowing time
Sowing time has a decisive influence on the later flowering period of plants. If the flowering period is to be in spring, the seeds are sown in February. When sown in July, you can enjoy vibrant flowers the following fall. The seeds can also be sown directly into the garden bed. When sowing directly into the garden bed, a distance of 20 cm is maintained between the seeds. Make sure that the flowerbed is not in the midday sun. Otherwise, the seedlings will most likely dry out. Additionally, mixing humus into garden soil provides a good start.
Note: Seeds can also be collected from your own plants. Just refrain from cleaning up spent blooms in late summer. After a short wait, three-lobed capsule fruits are formed. Simply collect the still light brown capsules, dry them until ripe, and then simply collect the seeds.
Rules for subsequent care and cultivation
Moisten the seed as necessary. The first shoots should appear within a week after sowing. Immediately place the container in the light. An incorrect approach to germination and care of seedlings kills Pansies, preventing them from becoming stronger and taking root.
Temperature
Young Viola seedlings should be kept warm. The normal temperature for development is 20 degrees. The film is removed for ventilation and simultaneous watering.
After picking, the air temperature in the room should not rise above 18 degrees.
Illumination
The abundance of light helps Pansies grow quickly. Since sowing takes place in February-March, additional lighting with lamps will be required. Duration of illumination of seedlings: at least 10 hours.
Humidity and watering regime
Young pansies require regular moisture. The greenhouse helps maintain the required air humidity. Watering is carried out daily, but without waterlogging.
Use a spray bottle. Soil wetting occurs around the circumference, but not near the stem.
Loosening
The loosening procedure is carried out during watering. The only time you can start is only after the pick.
Top dressing
The first feeding of seedlings is planned 14 days after picking. It is recommended to use mineral complexes containing nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus in sufficient quantities.
Fertilizer mixtures should be applied in small doses once every two weeks until transplantation to the main location.
Picking
Picking is required, since the sprouts develop quickly, and planting is usually cramped. The faster the procedure is carried out, the better the shoots take root.
You can start when 2 full leaves are formed. Before picking, prepare separate containers with soil mixture for the seedlings.
Topping
To form a lush bush, it is recommended to pinch the seedlings immediately after picking. The procedure should be carried out at least 2-3 times during development. After the first time, feeding is carried out. Therefore, Pansy sprouts will easily tolerate stress.
Buying pansies: what you need to pay attention to
In spring, the supply of colorfully flowering seedlings for the home garden is simply endless. Pansies are also included in the regular stock of hardware stores and can also be found in abundance in specialty stores. These plants have captured the hearts of so many botanical enthusiasts with their large, overlapping petals that they are among the best-selling ornamental plants.
But before you pick up a copy of these heartthrobs, you should ask yourself the following questions:
- Does the plant look healthy and have a stocky growth?
- Is the root ball well developed?
- How hardy is the variety?
Plants grown in frost-free greenhouses are not hardy. Therefore, these pansies should be planted in pots or flower beds only from mid-March.
Wintering pansies
Pansies under the snow
The garden pansy has its roots in Central European meadows and paths. The one- to two-year-old pansy owes its hardiness to this origin. In a flowerbed, plants not only withstand the gentle loads of snow, but even enjoy the cool whiteness. A layer of snow has an insulating effect and protects plants from baldness. Since white winter wonderland has become quite rare during the colder months, you will have to ensure that your plants survive the winter without harm.
Everything for wintering soon:
- Cover plants with conifer branches, non-woven fabric, pine, foliage, moss or bark mulch.
- Water lightly only on frost-free days.
- Don't fertilize.
- Late February/early March: removal of winter protection
Pansies in a pot are more sensitive because the ground there can freeze much faster. They also better trim and cover them. Non-woven material is best suited for this. In addition, wrap the entire pot with non-woven material or newsprint. The carefully wrapped plant spends the winter in a protected, cool place and is only lightly watered. She doesn't need fertilizers. In March it goes out into the fresh air again.
Note: The plant's leaves curl up in severe frost and flatten out again in milder weather.
Pansies and horny violets: differences and similarities
Pansies (Viola × wittrockiana), like horny violets (Viola cornuta), belong to the genus Viola. The two species can even interbreed with each other. But even if many of the similarities are not identical, there are huge differences. Pansies have higher nutritional requirements as well as larger flowers. Horny violets are smaller and more graceful than pansies, but have a longer flowering period and are more hardy and winter-hardy.
Although pansies are quite modest, they are delighted with a few care measures. In our special article, you learned how to properly care for pansies so that you can enjoy beautiful, colorful flowers.
Pansies and horny violets are very similar to each other and are closely related. However, there are some clear differences between the two spring heralds.
At first glance, these two mixing methods look similar, but it is worth considering in more detail. Cultural forms of pansies arose from crossings of various, mainly Central European species of this genus. Wild horn violets are again at home in the Pyrenees on rocky paths and alpine carpets, still at altitudes up to 2500 meters.
Thus, the initial distribution area of the two flowering plants almost does not overlap. Accordingly, the requirements and adaptations of plants that are visually very similar to each other differ depending on their environment. But despite their spatial separation, garden pansies and horny violets are so closely related that they can be crossed with each other without any problems.
The hybrids that emerge reveal a lot about the different requirements and characteristics of the two plant species. So-called mini pansies (Viola cornuta) have smaller flowers, are particularly easy to run wild and can bloom even in mild winter weather.
You can learn more about horn violets in this article: GROWING HORN VIOLES AT HOME AND IN THE GARDEN.
Pansies and their benefits
Pansies with heart-shaped leaves look at us from March to November with their friendly flowers. In the Middle Ages they were a symbol of good thoughts. With the later name, the meaning was probably rather supplanted. But since the position of the crown leaf was incorrect to designate “violet,” the botanist simply had to get creative. The stepmother (lower petal) superimposes her daughters on the left and right (side petals). This again causes the stepchildren (back petals) to disappear into the very back row. With so much creativity in naming, it's almost understandable that for 111 years, botanists forgot to give the pansy a botanical name as well. However, pansies may offer more than one creative name.
Pansy blossom
Compared to horny violets, you can distinguish pansies by the following:
- Bigger flower.
- Taller height (30 cm).
However, larger blooms make pansies more susceptible to damage from rain. It says: Find a sheltered place for your plants. But the differences don't stop with rain sensitivity. Due to their origin, pansies have individual claims to their environment, which must be taken into account when planting in your own garden or balcony. If you choose pansies, here are some things to consider when planting pansies.
Horny violet and its benefits
Horny violets are smaller and smaller than pansies. But, as often happens in life, appearances are deceiving. Horn violets, originating from the mountains, offer all the advantages compared to their central European relatives:
- They like to sow on their own and run wild.
- Increased winter hardiness of plants.
- Hardier plants (from biennial to short-lived).
- Longer flowering period during rain, more flowers.
- Smaller height (20 - 30 cm).
- Fewer complaints about nutrition.
Horny violet blooming
Horny violet flowers are smaller than those of pansies. So there are many reasons why horny violets have retreated from the affection of many garden lovers to their big sisters and are increasingly popular.
Brief description of the plant
Pansy or tricolor violet (Viola × wittrockiana Gams) is not a botanical species, but the result of crossing three wild violets:
- Tricolor violet (V. tricolor);
- Yellow violet (V. lutea);
- Altai violet (V. altaica).
The plant also has names: Viola, Ivan-da-Marya, field brother.
The flower grows naturally in Europe and Western Asia - in meadows, along river beds.
Since the beginning of the 19th century, a huge number of large-flowered viola varieties of almost all colors have been bred. Therefore, flower lovers have unlimited possibilities for arranging their gardens and balconies. The flower belongs to the classics of ornamental plants. For many years it has been a permanent feature of gardens, balconies and parks, as it is elegant, unpretentious and colorful. An ampelous viola, hanging beautifully from a pot, will decorate any balcony or terrace.
Viola is a biennial plant with a stem 15-25 cm long and five velvety, round-shaped petals resembling a heart. Green leaves develop around the stem, heart-shaped at the bottom, oblong at the top.
These flowers are valued for their beautiful coloring, velvety petals and pleasant scent; in addition, they are quite stable and do not require special care.
Pansies can be propagated in two ways:
- seeds,
- dividing roots.
Self-seeding is also very common - plants tend to run wild. These seedlings can be left in the flowerbed or transplanted anywhere. Self-dispersed seedlings tolerate our Central winters well and can remain in the flowerbed for many years. You should remember about thinning the seedlings, because for favorable development and beautiful flowering it is advisable to leave no more than 60-80 plants per square meter.
When to plant pansies and horny violets?
Horny violet, as well as pansies, can be planted almost all year round. From March to October, the two blooming sisters can move into their garden with frost-free soil. However, with pansies, planting time affects flowering time. Planting in autumn results in flowering that lasts, with a short winter break, until late spring. Pansies planted in spring bloom from March through summer. Horn violets, on the other hand, have a longer flowering period and, with proper care, display a colorful floral display from April to October. Here, planting time is of secondary importance.
When to sow Viola for seedlings in 2022 according to the lunar calendar?
The seedling method is one of the most reliable ways to grow viola. It is best to sow a flower in February; the best time for planting seedlings can be chosen according to the lunar calendar. Such a calendar, a system of counting large periods of time based on the periodicity of the movement of celestial bodies: the Sun - in solar calendars, the Moon - in lunar calendars, and simultaneously the Sun and Moon in can give all the necessary recommendations in international law, meaning resolutions of international organizations, meetings or conferences that are not legally binding regarding sowing. According to astrologers, when the Moon grows, the only natural satellite of the Earth, the energy in the seedlings, found in the roots, rises up. Therefore, it is recommended to plant grains during the full moon.
Favorable days for planting viola
- In February
– 3, 4, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 - In March
– 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, 31 - In April
– 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 26, 27 - In May
– 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 23, 24
When to sow viola in 2022 is a non-systemic unit of time measurement, which historically in most cultures meant a one-time cycle of changing seasons (spring, summer, autumn, winter) is not worth it, bad days?
According to the lunar calendar, flower growers can solve practical problems, on what day, and what is useful or harmful to do when growing. You should not plant viola for seedlings on the days of the Full and New Moon, or when the luminary is in the sign of Aquarius.
- In February
– 1, 2, 16 - In March
– 1, 2, 3, 18 - In April
– 1, 2, 16, 29, 30 - In May
– 16, 29, 30, 31
