HOW TO GROW PANSIES

Wairarapa Daily Times, 10 December 1937, Page 3

HOW TO GROW PANSIES

IMPORTANCE OF EARLY STAGES Raising pansies from seed is actually a very simple task, but, despite this fact, there ar.e many growers whose results fall far short of what they should be. This, in nearly every instance, is due to neglect in the early stages of growth. It must never be forgotten that the plants are not only hungry feeders, but demand a rather more than usually lavish supply of moisture at the roots. If left overcrowded in boxes and neglected for days on, end the inevitable result is that growth is severely checked, and plants, subjected to such treatment whilst young are seldom able fully to recover, despite all the care and attention that may be lavished on them after transference to their flowering quarters. At the moment plants raised from early spring sowings in heat are now hardening off in preparation for planting out some time during the month. These, if they have made even reasonable progress, will now be sturdy, wellrooted young specimens, and it behoves- the grower to see that they are not allowed to suffer in any way from lack of moisture at the roots, until such time,-as an opportunity for planting presents itself. Every second day will not be too often to water the boxes during dry weather. Coddling is, of course, a fatal mistake, for pansies fall little short of being classed as perfectly hardy plants. Ample ventilation is always essential, ajjd in a very short time now it will be possible to dispense entirely with the frame lights. At the same time it must be borne in mind that pansies are not over-fond of full exposure to burning sunshine. If, as is probable, they are moved from the frame and stood on the paths, to make way for more tender subjects, the ideal place for them is at the side of the frame, where they will receive the benefit of some shade.

' PLANTING. Planting is a job which should be undertaken just as soon as the giound is in workable condition, and the plants are thoroughly hardened. The earlier they can be put out without taking undue risks the better, for it is a tremendous help if the roots are given a chance to establish themselves before hot, dry conditions set in. The sudden collapse of freely-blooming plants, which is, in the south at least, an all too frequent occurrence, is invariably due to the fact that the roots have not had a chance to delve deeply in search of food and moisture before hot weather checks their progress. Yet anoth'er cause of. this annoying happening is planting in shallow, ill-prepared soil. Pansies are naturally deep-rooting subjects, and, unless they are afforded a chance to root into a cooler and moister stratum of soil than the top eight or nine inches, constant watering will be

required to keep 'them flowering really freely. There is one other mistake which must be guarded against in the early stages of growth, and that is allowing the plants to flower while still in boxes, or just after they have been moved to their flowering quarters. Naturally precocious flowerers, this is a thing they will very often do, but it is obvious that a plant of even the most abounding vitality (annot stand the strain of producing blooms at the same time as it is endeavouring to establish a rootliold. Until such time as it is evident from their free growth that the roots are penetrating throughout the new medium, it is well worth while to nip out flower buds. Commercial growers leave them, because of their attractive appearance and advertisement value. Growers who have the necessary facilities invariably prefer to raise pansies from seed sown in heat in the early months of the year, but this is by no means the only method of raising stocks. From a .sowing made in late November or during December sturdy

young plants, which can be wintered in the cold frame, will be obtained. These can be hardened a good deal earlier than can spring-sown -stocks, and, where early flowers are the aim in view, are much to be preferred.