Pansies are unpretentious flowers that adorn gardens for 5-6 months. Self-cultivation of viola on the site will not cause trouble for the gardener. It is important to choose the right place for comfortable growth and development of the flower and take care of it.

Breeding features

Pansies (viola) are biennial or perennial plants, belong to the Violet family, grow from 15 to 30 cm in height. The flowering period lasts from late April to August. A common plant for decorating a garden, loggias, gazebos. In order for flowers to bloom magnificently for a long period, it is necessary to provide proper care, be able to recognize and fight pests and plant diseases.

Pansies have some peculiarities in growing. It is important to know how to choose the right place and variety of flowers, how to plant seeds in a garden plot.

Pansies

Favorable conditions for active growth of flowers:

  • Soil type. On moderately moist fertile soil, pansies will develop well. Dry, sandy soil is not suitable for planting a plant;
  • Shading. For pansies, according to the degree of illumination, it is necessary to choose the golden mean. Plants wither in the scorching sun and begin to grow worse if there is a thick shade. In the shade, the plant degenerates over time. Therefore, it is good if a small shadow from a shrub, young tree or wooden hedge falls on the site;
  • Care. Pansies need regular, moderate watering. Watering is necessary daily, during hot summer. Do not allow the formation of a crust on the ground, overdry the soil. Mulch will keep the soil moist. Having retreated from the roots 3 cm, spread a small layer of mulch. Withered, spoiled stems, flowers, leaves must be plucked.

Landing in open ground

Ornamental flowers grow quickly in the garden, forming lush, bright flower beds. The plant is considered shade-tolerant, but if there is a thick shadow, then the flowers will be small, the stems will begin to stretch.

Recommendations for choosing a landing site:

  • The flower is thermophilic, therefore, the area where pansies will grow should warm up well in the sun, be sufficiently illuminated;
  • You can choose slightly shaded areas, especially if planting is done in the southern regions. The sultry sun promotes wilting of flowers;
  • The site should be slightly elevated. Pansies do not tolerate stagnant moisture. The accumulation of spring melt water can cause root rot if the site is in a lowland;
  • The soil should be fertile with neutral acidity levels. If the composition of the soil is poor, the land is depleted, then it must be fertilized. You can add plant compost per 1 sq. m for 1 bucket of fertilizer.
  • Growing pansies

    Outdoor pansies

Flower seeds are planted in open ground in June-July. In the first year, the plant does not bloom, the first flowers can be seen next spring. Conventionally, the planting process can be divided into 5 stages. Pansy planting and care in the open field:

  1. Site preparation for the nursery. The gardener will need to choose a suitable place where the pansies will feel comfortable. An elevated, lighted, heated area would be ideal. Loosen the soil, moisten;
  2. The choice of the variety.Many gardeners prefer to grow large-sized varieties, but flowers with small petals are more hardy. It is recommended to select varieties based on the climatic characteristics of the region. There are frost-resistant varieties that are suitable for planting in northern latitudes;
  3. Soil preparation. It is better to plant flowers immediately on pre-fertilized soil. It is better to prepare the soil in the fall. Mineral fertilizers must be applied to the site. If the acidity of the soil is increased, then lime or dolomite flour is added to it;
  4. Sowing seeds. You can sow seeds directly in open ground in summer or in pots in February. It is necessary to mix the seeds with sand. The procedure is done so that the seeds do not grow too densely. On the site, make small ditches, no more than 0.5 cm deep. Distribute the seeds evenly, you can sow by eye. Sprinkle the seedlings with earth on top. Pour them from a spray bottle. The first shoots will appear on the 7-10th day. For the first time, the sowing is covered with a film;
  5. Picking, seating. After the emergence of seedlings, they must be planted so that the flowers do not interfere with each other's growth. After the appearance of 2-3 true leaves, the seedlings are ready for picking. The transplant is carried out in the evening, when there is no sun and it is cool. The seedlings are planted at a distance of 25 cm. If frosts are expected, then the young plants should be covered with straw.

On a note. The time when it is better to plant pansies in open ground can be chosen by focusing on the lunar calendar of 2018, choosing favorable days for planting.

Pansies can be propagated by cuttings. This method is used for propagation of flowers in the open field. In June, you need to cut the required number of green cuttings. Each must have at least 3 internodes. Fresh cuttings can be immediately planted in the prepared area. After planting, the flowers are watered and sprayed with cool water. A month later, a full-fledged bush grows from the planted cuttings in the country, which is ready to bloom.

On a note. When propagating by cuttings, growth stimulants are used: Kornevin, Epin, Heteroauxin. The preparations promote quick adaptation to a new place, increase the survival rate, and allow a healthy plant to grow.

Outdoor care

Pansies are unpretentious flowers that generally grow on their own. The gardener needs to perform standard plant care steps:

Regular watering is a prerequisite for growing

  • Watering. The basic rule of watering is to moisten the soil only after it dries out. If moisture stagnation forms, the plant will die. Watering pansies in the morning or evening hours, when there is no scorching sun. If the variety has large flowers, then the intensity of watering is increased. In the morning, flowers can be sprayed with a spray bottle;
  • Loosening. After each watering or rain, the soil is loosened. The procedure must be carried out carefully, 2-3 cm retreat from the roots, the garden tool should be deepened by 5 cm;
  • Weed removal. Weed grass prevents the plant from developing normally, so it is removed in a timely manner. It is necessary to pull out by hand so as not to damage the roots of the flowers;
  • Mulching. After watering and loosening the soil, the site is mulched. This helps to retain moisture and prevents weeds from growing. As a mulching material, sawdust, dry leaves are used;
  • Shelter for the winter. Pansies do not tolerate sudden changes in temperature and frost. There are frost-resistant varieties that adapt to cold winter conditions. Gardeners recommend additionally covering flowers for the winter. In winter, the site is covered with snow, in spring you can cover the flower bed with a homemade greenhouse made of plastic wrap;
  • Top dressing. For feeding flowers, special mineral additives are used, intended for violet plants. Household fertilizers such as fresh manure cannot be used as fertilizer. It can burn the roots of flowers. Top dressing is applied to the ground once a month during the spring and summer seasons.

Fertilizers for pansy flowers:

Violet is one of the complex fertilizers for pansies

  • Annushka. Top dressing has a balanced composition of minerals. Available in liquid form. Flowers are sprayed with a solution, you can feed the roots of the plant with a mineral additive;
  • Bio Master Violet. Fertilizer with active bio-granules and useful macro- and microelements. Top dressing increases the immunity of flowers. Produced in powder or granule form;
  • Plantofol. Crystalline powder nourishes the plant, refers to foliar feeding. Plantofol contains various trace elements necessary for the growth of flowers;
  • Agricola 7. Fertilizer is used to increase flowers, it prolongs the flowering period. Top dressing is produced in the form of granules. Flowers are watered or sprayed with top dressing.
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Diseases and pests

Pansies are susceptible to frequent pests

Viola begins to wither with improper care. Possible diseases, symptoms, methods of struggle:

  • Ascochitis. A fungal infection appears as brown spots on the leaves. At the edges, the leaves are covered with a brown border. With the development of the disease, the spots brighten, fungi begin to develop on them. The diseased leaves dry out, the spores of the fungus remain in the plant. As a prophylaxis and fight against the disease, before the beginning of the flowering period, the flower bed is sprayed with copper-containing preparations. In the fall, it is necessary to remove fallen leaves, dried flowers, remove weeds;
  • Powdery mildew. Viola leaves and flowers can be affected by white powdery mildew. A white bloom forms on the plant, over time it turns black. The infection continues to develop and persists even in fallen leaves and wilted flowers. To combat powdery mildew, flowers are sprayed with garden dew, Ordan, Horus, Skor. Affected leaves, flowers must be removed and burned;
  • Gray rot. In conditions of high humidity, gray rot develops. A sign of the disease is the appearance of a gray plaque, it is watery to the touch. If a plant is damaged, they must be removed, along with a lump of earth. The soil is treated with drugs Maxim or Alirin-B. Autumn, the site is thoroughly cleaned of plant residues;
  • Septoria. If red-brown spots of a small size 5 mm have formed on the leaves of the viola, which gradually begin to crack, then this means that the plant has septoria. The affected leaves must be collected. Flowers are sprayed with copper oxychloride or Bordeaux liquid. It is possible to sow new seeds in the same place only after treating the soil with disinfectants for gardeners;
  • Phylostictosis. The main symptom of the disease is the appearance of large brown spots with a light middle. The spots grow, holes are formed in their place. Affected leaves wilt and fall off. Bordeaux liquid or copper sulfate is used to fight.

Powdery mildew on viola

Problems that gardeners may face:

  • Flowers are getting smaller. The reason for the decrease in the splendor of the flowers is the scarce poor soil. To improve flowering, special mineral preparations or compost are added to the soil;
  • Why do pansies die? If the plant is withered, then this indicates possible problems with lighting, watering, feeding. Viola care is the most important condition for flower growth. Tips: transplant flowers to a new place, taking into account all the recommendations, fertilize the soil, plant only healthy seedlings, take care of flowers.
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How many pansies bloom

The beginning of flowering period is approximately in April. Flowers can decorate flower beds before frost. On average, one flower blooms and withers in 4-5 days, it is replaced by new flowers. The process takes place quickly and imperceptibly, so the view of the flower bed is always neat and picturesque. Complex mineral fertilizers and proper flower care help extend the flowering period.

Important! In order for pansies to bloom earlier, in early spring, the area can be covered with plastic wrap. On the sunny side, the flowers grow larger than in the shade. But due to the influence of the bright sun, they fade faster.

Pansies are beautiful flowers that many gardeners grow. The process of planting and caring for a viola is simple, but it is important to consider some points in order to keep the plant healthy. Gardeners have the opportunity to select varieties by color, flower size, disease resistance, suitable for the climatic conditions of the region.