|
| I started pansies (acquarelle mix) from seed in early February. They've seemed to do fairly well, but I have a question about growth rate. Seedlings are now in their own 3" fiber pots, and all have several sets of true leaves. At this point, the plants are 2 to 3 inches in height. They look healthy...just small. I have no idea how large pansies must become to start blooming. Please see the picture. In my area, many people begin putting pansies out in planters as early as mid-April. By the middle to end of May, they're fading. So, ideally I'd like to be able to harden them off in about 4~ish weeks. Does this seem feasible? |
Follow-Up Postings:
|
- Posted by dowlinggram 3 (My Page) on Tue, Mar 26, 13 at 4:11
| It certainly does sound feasible. Your pansies do have a bit of growing to do before they will bloom. Pansies are a spring flower and as such like it a bit cooler than other plants. Yours may not even start blooming until they are outside. Pansies will also winter over so if you are planting them in planters move them to a flower bed after they are finished blooming and you'll have flowers for next year.. Deadheading will also make them bloom longer |
|
| Hmm...........I didnt realize pansies were so slow. I have some that just sprouted. I assumed they grew much like violas, which I have grown before from seed and had blooming before they went outside. Dowlinggram - thanks for the cold temp tip. I'll be moving mine down to a lower/cooler shelf once they show true leaves. |
|
| Both pansies and viola are slow for me from seed. |
|
- Posted by ken_adrian z5 (My Page) on Tue, Mar 26, 13 at 10:00
| your next quantum leap in seed growing.. indoors.. will be to move away from those God forsaken peat pots.. 6 oz solo cups would be so much easier.. and really help you maintain soil moisture ... anyway ... they will bloom when they are mature enough to bloom.. and may be out of phase .... as compared to winter sown.. or store bought plants ... if they dont die.. they will bloom ... so dont compare yours to 'forced' store bought plants.. its not a fair equation ... also.. they should be fert'd.. perhaps 1/4 the recommended amount in every watering ... time to juice these babies up ... increase light also .... and do you know all about hardening off house grown seedlings to the humorless mother nature??? ... just because they are a cold season plant.. doesnt mean you can just whip them outside ... ask if you dont know ... good luck ken ps: next time.. consider trying half your seeds indoors.. and half in another method.. like winter sown ... just for the sake of experimenting ... it would have never crossed my mind to start these indoors.... |
|
- Posted by idloveamocha none (My Page) on Tue, Mar 26, 13 at 21:03
| @Ken...this is a legitimate, non-snarky question: Why do you hate peat pots so much? I've seen you talk about this before. I've never had one problem with a peat pot. In fact, I prefer them because I will remove the bottom and plant directly in the garden. Works for me. I've never had a fungus problem, or problems with plants wilting, etc. |
|
- Posted by SouthCountryGuy SE BC 4a-4b (My Page) on Wed, Mar 27, 13 at 20:48
| I think ken missed the follow up... so I will post why I don't like them. Because they are porous, and very much so, lots of the moisture from your soil will be evaporated out of the side of the cup... You need to water way more increasing the chance of a perched water table or root rot. They are hard to handle, especially when wet. In my experience they don't break down enough to allow the roots to move through. Even cutting the bottom off you will find a huge root bound ball that can't get through the peat container. I do use them for very hard to transplant plants but I slice the sides at least 10 times. Expensive. Expensive. Not worth the money. A SASE stamp will procure all I have left. |
|
| Many gardeners dislike peat pots. They are hard to work with. I tried them a few times and then gave up on them. Either they were too dry and sucking the moisture out of potting mix and plants, or too wet and growing multicolored mold. For small-scale puttering around you may not need to buy anything new. I save and re-use recyclable plastic food containers for plant purposes. Many re-purposed containers are more sturdy than the kits sold for seed starting, and it's nice to know the material is food-safe. When the container wears out, it gets hosed off and goes into the recycling bin. |
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Annuals Forum
Information about Posting
- You must be logged in to post a message. Once you are logged in, a posting window will appear at the bottom of the messages. If you are not a member, please register for an account.
- Please review our Rules of Play before posting.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review your post, make changes and upload photos.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- Before posting copyrighted material, please read about Copyright and Fair Use.
- We have a strict no-advertising policy!
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.
Learn more about in-text links on this page here
