Comments on: Pansy/viola care

By: carol dempsey

carol dempsey — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 20:53:35 +0000

One cannot look at a viola and not smile back at their happy faces. I just moved to upstate SC and immediately, in October, planted many, many violas, in both the ground and in about 30 baskets and containers. (Can you tell I love them…) The ones in the landscape were well mulched, but the container plants have flowered much more readily over the winter than did the landscape plants. It’s now early spring and the landscape violas are beginning to come around. Of course, it will be scorching hot here before you know it – and I don’t want to lose them all. I know that it is possible for violas to re-seed. But what is the best way for me to ensure a big return bloom next spring, in both the landscape and the containers? I haven’t yet given them a spring fertilizing. Help me keep my babies smiling!

By: Kristen

Kristen — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:50:57 +0000

hello!

i planted some violas in pots by my door several months ago when the weather was warmer. i took care of them and they thrived! the problem now is that they are doing SO well that they are kind of hiding the baby tree that they are supposed to be bordering. winter weather is definitely coming, and i was hoping that the colder temperatures would calm them down a little, but they’re still blooming and growing! what do i need to do to cut them back a little without killing the plants?

Hi Kristen
If you want to trim your pansies cut them back to a node (growing Point up to a leaf joint). They take well to pruning. You will loose flowers but if they continue to grow well, they should rebloom.

By: Julie

Julie — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:13:13 +0000

Animal repellents
It is November and I live in East Tennessee. I planted pansies by my front porch and by our mailbox at the street a couple of weeks ago. Four days later, the flower heads were all gone and a fairly clean topped stem and leaves was all that remained. It took a while but whatever is eating them finally discovered the ones by the mailbox. I do not know if this happens at night or just when I am not looking out my front door. What can I spray or spread around to discourage the pansy-eating culprits?

Hi Julie
It could be rabbits, deer or some other creature eating your pansies. Try one of the hot pepper spray recipes I have on http://hortchat.com/info/animal-repellents. Hopefully it will help deter the critters.

By: Fred

Fred — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 02:26:09 +0000

Root rot disease
I love pansies toughness and beauty but this year I have replaced 40 or more plants due to black leg or crown rot disease. I hope you can recomend a drench or something that will stop it. I have also had most of the vincas die of a similar problem.

Hi Fred
There are several root rot diseases that affect pansies. Symptoms show up as yellowing of lower foliage with purplish new growth on a stunted, weak and wilting plant. Black root rot (thielaviopsis) is a difficult fungal disease to get control. Fungal root rot disease will occur when the soil is too wet with standing water or poor drainage. Heat stress can also be a factor as well as high soil ph. A ph range of 5.5-5.8 is better.
First of all, improve soil drainage by adding peat, perlite or any organic material. Maintain good sanitation by removing all infected debris around the area. A fungicide used as a soil drench such as Aliette, Subdue Maxx, Compass, Medallion will help control the spread of the disease. Some fungicide may not be available to the homeowner. A local garden center should have some available. Application should begin when symptoms first appear. Follow manufacturers directions for use.
http://www.onhort.com/Diagnosing-Common-Pansy-Problems-article80

By: Mitch

Mitch — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:53:32 +0000

Fertilizing pansies
I have just planted my pansies for the winter in TN and was wondering what kind of fertilizer is best suited for growth?

Hi Mitch
Pansies need more food than most annuals when they are actively growing. They like well-drained soil that is rich in organic material. If you live in a warm climate, mix a slow- release fertilizer into the soil at planting time. Add a light balanced fertilizer of 10-10-10 or 5-10-10 in late fall and again in early spring . Be careful not to over fertilize or use a high-nitrogen formula as too much feeding can produce leggy, soft growth and make the plant susceptible to rot. They will bloom as long as the temperature is above freezing and peak in spring

By: Connie Kempf

Connie Kempf — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 23:05:08 +0000

The pansies look wilted and the leaves are dried up looking even after fertilizing them every 2 weeks with Miracle Grow and regular watering in the mornings. Can you tell me what is wrong with them? Connie

Hi Connie
Pansies slow down, stop blooming and can dry up during the hot part of summer. For additional fall bloom cut the plant back to 2-4 inches from the ground and fertilize.

By: Kerri

Kerri — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:33:33 +0000

I am planting pansies in Sept. for a company. Some of the planting spots are in full sun. It is the end of our summer in Massachusetts, however, some days do get hot- I would say around 85 degrees. But, the nights will be cooler. Will the pansies make it?

Hi Kerri
As we quickly start to approach the end of summer, your Pansies should do well. Make sure they get enough water after you plant them. The cooler weather will be great for new growth.

By: Fiorella C.

Fiorella C. — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:25:32 +0000

Hi I would like to know if you have a solution for my problem; I planted four pots of pritty violetts in may and put them outside my front door on my stairs and about two weeks ago I noted that something is eating all the flower heads and leaving the little leg on the plant at first i tought my elderly mother that lives with me was deadheading them but when she was away for a week and this was incresing daily I realized that it is something else, can you help me?

Are you referring to African violets or violas (mini pansies)?

By: 1st Time Gardener

1st Time Gardener — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:09:36 +0000

Hi, I have just bought a house this year and started straight away in the garden. I have planted some beautiful Viola’s and Geraniums that have flowered great, and want to keep them through the winter. I live in the UK so we get quite wet and frosty winters. What can i do? (Bare in mind i’m a first time gardener when replying to my post )
Thanks
S

Hi Newbie,
Welcome to the world of gardening! Viola can tolerate colder climates and may winter over in the UK. As far as geraniums are concerned, you will have to bring them indoors for the winter. There are several ways to do this. I have some information on wintering geraniums that may be useful to you.
I hope you will enjoy gardening for the rest of your life.

By: Josie

Josie — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 19:25:16 +0000

I planted pansies in pots the middle of June. They are in afternoon shade. How can I keep them in bloom for an event the end of August? We live in the upper penninsula of Michigan.

HI Josie
Pansie do well in areas with cool summers. Give them a light fertilizer once a month to maintain healthy vigorous plants. If they are starting to get leggy cut the plants down to 2 inches in July and fertilize. They will bounce back and fill in nicely with the cooler temperatures.