The pansy and the genus Viola are very alike and belong to the same family ( Violaceae).Pansiesare used mainly for summertime bedding , although they can be treated as perennial and increase utilize cuttings . This is what is done to perpetuate outstanding diverseness for show purposes . In most gardens , however , fairy are treated as biennial plants and discarded after blossom . Various colorful strains have been give rise by crossing the Viola tricolor with select smorgasbord ‘ Monarch Strain , ’ ‘ Engelman ’s , ’ ‘ Roggli ’ of Swiss line of descent , and ‘ Morel ’s ’ or by cross dissimilar strains .
The piece of work bear on , and there is no telling what splendid flowers will look · in the years to come . What is known as the Fancy Pansy is grown for exhibition aim and has superseded the Show Pansy . For show work , the blossom should be expectant , orbitual in synopsis , and have smooth , thick , velvety petals without serrations . The middle of the flower should be slightly convex , with the petal mildly reflexed . The colors should be harmonious , with a security deposit of uniform width , and the white-livered eye should be large , bright , and distinctly defined . The flower should be not less than 2 inches in diam .
Growing Pansies
Pansies thrive in well - drained , deeply excavate soil enrich with bonemeal or well - rot horse manure . Choose an open positioning , sooner with some shade from the midday sun . Where the soil is heavy , branching in gamy stuff , old , weathered ashes , astute sand , brick dust or compost , and a birdlime dressing may assist break up the filth . The bed should be raised about 6 inch above the surrounding horizontal surface with such land . Dig in cow manure and garden compost on light dirt some week before planting .
Planting may be either in the autumn or in the spring , but this depends upon local condition . Plants put out in the fall usually start to bloom earlier than those lie with out in spring ; however , on heavy soil , it is heady to defer planting until the spring . Where plants are put out in the autumn , top - line up the bed or border with adequate parts of loam , sedge peat or leafmould , and sharp sand a week or two after planting . This will provide right protection to the roots during the winter . The plants are reasonably hardy but will not hold up inordinate winter smashed . When planting is done in the spring , this should be during the 2nd one-half of March as long as there are no bitter east winds . Set out the industrial plant about 10 - 12 inch asunder , and during ironical atmospheric condition , irrigate them freely in the evenings .
Propagationis by seed sow in idle grease in boxes or pans in July or August and come in in a cold , funny frame . transfer the seedlings into flowering positions in September or former October , or prick out and overwinter in a cold physique . spectacular plants may be increase by cuttings take aim in August or September and insert in sandlike dirt in a frigid , shady frame or by partition in September or October . For exhibition determination , take into account one flush only to grow on each shoot , removing other buds at an early stage . plant life grown for exposition should be fed with weak liquid plant food once a hebdomad throughout the growing season ( see also Viola ) .
Strains and cultivars include
Winter-flowering kinds(flowering from February onwards).
These admit
Pansy stem rot
This disease is called pansy sickness , in which the stem base and root molder , and the plant turns scandalmongering . It is now mutual among pansies and viola , and it is necessary to implant on sassy ground and to splash a diminutive 4 per centum calomel dust in the planting holes . Do not plant too deep . The fungus responsible for the bow rot is calledMyrothecium roridum .
