Growing Vibrant Pansies: Best Practices for Thriving Blooms
Pansies are cherished for their vibrant colors and resilience in cooler weather. Achieving healthy, lush growth and abundant blooms requires attention to detail, from media preparation to nutrient management. Here’s an in-depth guide to help you grow stunning pansies.
Choosing the Right Environment for Pansies
Optimal Growing Conditions
Pansies flourish in cooler climates, making them perfect for spring and fall plantings. Ideal conditions for seedlings include:
- Temperatures: 60–65°F during the day and about 55°F at night.
- Light Exposure: Full sun to partial shade, avoiding the intense heat of afternoon sun in warmer zones.
Media Preparation
Pansies thrive in well-draining, aerated soilless media with a pH range between 5.4-6.0. Iron and Boron are two micro elements in high demand for optimal Pansy growth. These two micronutrients decrease in availability when the pH rises above 5.8. Incorporate organic matter to enhance structure and ensure consistent moisture without over saturation.
Balanced Nutrition: The Full Pansy Growing Program
For robust pansy growth, follow this fertigation program:
- Plugs: Starting from seed, use Plant-Prod 12-2-14 to optimize growth of seedlings with complete nutrition and a low salt index. Begin feeding at a rate of 25 ppm N.
- Mid-Growth: Transition to Plant-Prod Solutions 17-5-17, or 19-8-13 Total Plus when water alkalinity levels are higher (15-200 ppm CaCO3). Both options provide complete nutrition and a lower level of phosphorus to help keep pansies compact. Feed at a rate of 100 ppm N.
- Maintenance: If alternating formulations is preferred, switch between Plant-Prod 20-8-20 All Purpose High Nitrate and Plant-Prod 14-0-14 to supply calcium and magnesium, essential for maintaining strong cell walls and minimizing nutrient imbalances.
- Finishing Touches: Reduce fertilizer rates 2-3 weeks prior to shipping and feed with Plant-Prod 15-0-20 No-Stretch® to maintain compact and sturdy growth.
This program ensures balanced nutrition throughout the pansy lifecycle, addressing specific nutrient needs at each stage for optimal health and flowering.
Tips for Application:
- Adjust concentrations based on plant demand, and environmental conditions. Watch for lower leaf scorch as rates increase.
- Monitor media pH and plants for signs of nutrient deficiencies or excesses.
Water and pH Management
Irrigation Source Best Practices
Success of pansy fertilization is dependent on the quality of the irrigation water being used. Ensure that irrigation water is appropriately adjusted based on alkalinity level to ensure that media pH doesn’t creep up over time. Acid injection should be used when the alkalinity level is above 200 ppm CaCO3.
Media pH Monitoring
Regular monitoring of media pH is essential for pansy production. High pH can lead to iron and boron deficiencies. These are seen as interveinal chlorosis of new foliage and distorted curling of new growth, respectively. When media pH dips too low, phosphorus can become deficient and purpling of lower leaves can be seen.
Seasonal Care for Pansy Blooms
Deadheading for Prolonged Flowering
Remove spent blooms regularly to encourage the plant to redirect energy toward producing more flowers rather than seed development.
Temperature Management
Mulching can help maintain soil moisture and temperature, especially during unexpected warm spells. Be ready to provide shade or additional watering if temperatures spike.
Ready to grow?
Set your pansies up for success with a tailored fertilization program and expert care. Follow our growing guide for step-by-step instructions and find your nearest distributor to get the products you need. With the right plan, your pansies will flourish with vibrant colour and lasting beauty.