Viola - Pansy

Violaceae, biennial for flower beds, sale in III-IV and VIII-X, sowing 3-5 g per 1,000 plants, for autumn sale in end VI - beginning VII, for early spring sale mid-VIII - mid-IX, pricking out after 4-6 weeks from sowing into 8 cm flower pots, 10°C, cult. period 11-14 or 25-27 weeks.

GROWER FACTS OF POTTED CULTURE FOR AUTUMN AND SPRING SALE:

Cultivation period

For autumn sale, the cultivation period (sowing-efflorescence) is 10-12 weeks for Inspire F1 group and 10-12 weeks for Frizzle F1 group. For spring sale – Inspire F1 25-26 weeks, Frizzle F1 24-28 weeks. The production of young plants lasts 4-6 weeks, depending on temperatures and light intensity, growing of the Cats varieties is identical to the Inspire F1 group.

Sowing periods

1,250 to 1,500 seeds are necessary for planting 1,000 plants. Sowing for autumn sale - end of VI to beginning of VII. For greenhouse culture intended for sale in spring - mid-VIII to mid-IX.

Germination

Germination period at 17-20°C is 14 - 21 days, slightly cover the sowing with vermiculite. Sowing must be kept humid and moist at all times - so it tolerates higher temperatures. If the seeding "dries up" at an early stage, it may cause sharp reduction in the germination capacity. In general, temperatures above 18°C will slow germination down. The seedlings are sensitive to salting higher than EC 1.5, therefore we recommend the use of a high-quality sowing substrate, pH 5.2 to 6.2.

Transplanting

Depending on the selected pre-planting and pricking out method and later transplanting into 8 cm flower pots or multiplugs 10/8, we recommend special substrate type Viola + Primula with increased clay content.

Temperatures

After transplanting, cultivation at 10-15°C. By growing at lower temperatures, you will get more compact crops. At later stages of cultivation, the temperatures above 12°C has a negative effect on the plant's shape. In winter, maintain a greenhouse temperature of 2-5°C. Plants grown in unheated greenhouses require fabric protection. In January, plants start to grow at 8-10°C. Plants grown like this start to bloom 3-4 weeks earlier than plants grown in greenhouse without heating. Ventilate on time, to prevent temperatures on sunny days from exceeding 15°C. Plants intended for wintering in unheated greenhouses must be well root-bound and grown. Otherwise, they may become damaged by lower temperatures.

Fertilisation

One week after transplanting, start to fertilise once a week with 100-150 ppm N (fertiliser 20-10-20, or 15-5-15, depending on the substrate's pH value). Over fertilisation with nitrogen will cause problems with plant compactness. At lower temperatures, pansies are sensitive to the presence of ammonia nitrogen in fertilisers at concentrations exceeding 5 ppm. This may cause plant stress and damage to the leaves.

Growth regulation

The Inspire F1 varieties require minimum interventions using these methods. When necessary, you can spray with 0.2 to 0.3 % B-Nine or use CCC (Stabilan 850 SL) at a concentration of 0.05 %.