VIGOUR OF PANSIES

Evening Star, Issue 21904, 15 December 1934, Page 29

VIGOUR OF PANSIES

PREVENTING DETERIORATION Pansies often commence the season with large floWerS, then gradually become smaller as the season advances. Violas, on the other hand, maintain the size of their flowers in abundance and quality throughout the season; it would indeed be reasonable to claim that from the point of general utility, the violas have the superiority, but the pansies have special claims on the affections, even .on those who do not grow them (writes the Auckland ‘Herald’s’ gardening contributor). There was a time when the term “tufted pansies ” was commonly used in relation to violas, to distinguish them from pansies proper. The word ‘‘tufted” referred to the manner in which violas send up masses of suckerlike shoots from below ground, each having * its own complement of stem roots. Even young seedlings will send up a few of these growths before even the first growth flowers. A pansy, on the other hand, makes a central trunk or stem with a root system at the base, and a few branching stems starting above ground and radiating from the central There are differences in the shape and colour markings of the flowers, but these do not affect the hehaviour and stamina of the plants. The importance of this structural differehce lies in the fact that whereas a viola, when it sends up new growth direct from the ground, provides each with a fresh young set of feeding roots, a pansy relies on the same root system to support stems, foliage, and flowers all through. Another point is that while the main growths are allowed to go their own way they will lengthen, but the older portions become hollow, and the younger extensions weaker. If a few old flowers are allowed to wither and form seed* the later blooms show still more deterioration, and a plant thus neglected has little energy to throw fresh shoots at all. As soon as the waning energy is noticed, the oldest growths are cut back to a joint just above the ground level; it may mean the sacrifice of a few small flowers, but the relief to the plant will induce it to throw fresh shoots from the lowest joints, and if these arc surrounded with some light soil they will send out some roots from the base. In a- short time, with the aid of nursing and feeding, the renovated plants will produce quite good flowers again, and continue to do so for some tinfe. Alternatively the growths may be taken off as soon as they have made two or three joints, and utilised as cuttings for the next season’s stock. A frame is fin advantage for inserting t»ie cuttings, but in sheltered positions, where shade and moisture can be given, the cuttings will do quite well in the open border. ,„ ~ It is useless to use old hollow growths for propagating purposes, and while the cutting- method is the best for perpetuating named or known good varieties, those of moderate quality only are not worth the trouble and can be easily raised from seed each year. It takes time to build up a good collection of pansies by saving the best each season, hut real progress is made on these lines.