PANSIES FROM SEED

Evening Star, Issue 22004, 13 April 1935, Page 3

PANSIES FROM SEED

A FASCINATING TASK Growing pansies from seed is a fascinating task and a simple one. To the person fortunate enough to possess a greenhouse or a handy frame they ofier no more difficulties than any ordinary bedding plant. Seed sown now is, to ail intents and purposes, treated exactly the same as other half-hardy annuals (says the gardening contributor to the Auckland ‘Herald’). The day is past when planting pansy seed was something of a speculation, the best of modern strains being little if anything inferior to named varieties, either in colour or markings. The habit, too, has changed for the better. Good strains do not produce seed abundantly and many years of rigorous “ rogueing ” have been necessary to bring the pansy to the pitch of perfection in which we have it to-day. Good-quality strains are, therefore, comparatively a trifle expensive. Do not, however, be tempted to purchase seed of mediocre strains. . The main point to be watched is the old maxim, “ sow thinly.” Just how much harm can be caused by thick sowing, and its inevitable result of overcrowded seedlings, is a point that is seldom appreciated. Even a day of over-crowding can injure th'e constitution of the plants, and once they are allowed to become drawn and weakened there is little that can be done to restore their energies. Cover the seed with a thin sprinkling of soil, and as soon as the seedlings make their appearance the glass and shading covering the box should bo removed. On the appearance of the third loaf a start can be made with the pricking out. At this stage a rather richer compost is advisable. Two parts of good loam, half a part of leaf mould, and a half-part of sharp sand will give the roots something to work on. The bottom of the box can also bo lined with a thin layer of mild manure. Keep the plants near the glass at all times to give them the benefit of all the light available.

By nature pansies are deep-rooting plants, and unless the ground is deeply dug their blooming powers must inevitably collapse when hot weather sets in. Very light sandy soils should have a generous dressing of heavy cow manure. This, more than anything else, will tend to conserve moisture. Heavy and medium soils do not offer the same difficulties, but here again deep digging and generous manuring aro well worth while. Pansies are precocious bloomers, and will generally develop at least one flower while a plant is little more than a tuft of leaves. These early flowers should be nipped out, giving the plants a chance to develop size and strength.