Pansies, without question, are one of the most exciting plants of spring. I don't believe any other plant causes the excitement that pansies do. When people first see them in the spring, smiles are everywhere. I remember one time I noticed a customer, upon getting out of her car, was literally screaming while jumping up and down in the parking lot when she saw them through the glass of the greenhouse.
Pansies love cool weather and snow does not hurt them. (Actually when they are covered in snow, do not brush off the snow.) As soon as the soil is thaw from winter they can be planted. Most years this usually is in March; Although I remember some Februaries when this was do-able.
There are some who believe pansies need to be planted in the fall for spring bloom. We believe the best spring pansies are still planted in the spring. In most cases the fall pansies take so much longer to get going than fresh spring plants. I won't say fall plantings don't work for spring, but generally spring planting is more successful. Note, there is no difference in the varieties, it's just when they are planted. Also, the term "winter" pansy is a marketing concept. All pansies are cold tolerant. Some varieties of pansies, however, have been hybridized to be more heat tolerant to last longer into the warm season.
As you take them out of the pot to plant, it's best to loosen the roots. Plant them level in the soil of your container or in the bed and water them in well. After they're planted, sometimes when springs are unusually cool, it's difficult to tell if the soil is truly wet or if it's just cold soil. Probably the soil is dry if you haven't watered too recently, so go ahead and water well. Pansies do get thirsty, so be sure to check them; however they need to be dry between watering's.
Pansies don't require a lot of fertilizer but occasionally fertilizing with Jack's All Purpose is great!
Dead-heading is not necessary but it does help them to look fresher. Sometimes if the season is unusually warm, dead-heading will prolong the bloom time. It does curb the build up of seed pods. If annuals believe they have produced enough seed they sometimes feel they don't have to bloom any longer; they've done their job! I personally dead-head my pansies twice a season.
The brand new pansy this spring is Frizzy Lemonberry. As the name suggests, it is a light yellow and plum blend with curly edges. It is very, very pretty!
Panolas are a relatively new hybrid. They are a cross between a pansy and a viola. They have a high bloom count like violas with gorgeous color spectrum like pansies. The blossoms are medium size and there are lots of them. Panolas are great because they are very showy and full of color. A.J. Rahn Greenhouses will have plenty of panolas this season.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Susan's Classroom - Cyclamen
It's cyclamen time. They are absolutely beautiful. Just come in and see the color. It's a sight to behold. We had them at Christmas with all the poinsettias but now we have all of them blooming and they do make a show.
Cyclamen are easy to care for. Their main requirement is a cool location. They love a semi-sunny room with temps in the 60's or even 50's. Anything above 70 degrees and they are not "happy campers".
When watering, feel the soil. If the soil is wet or if you're not sure if it is wet, don't water. If the soil feels dry, water well.
Sometimes you might find you've missed a watering and they are flat on the pot. They look dead! Go ahead and water well. It will take maybe as many as eight hours for them to perk up but they will perk up.
Many customers tell us they have their cyclamen for a couple of years. Then there are some who struggle to keep them for one week. It's usually a temperature issue -- too warm!
Don't expect cyclamen to bloom in spring or summer. They can, but this is not their "agenda". They are normally dormant in the summer. Their bloom time is late fall to winter. They look dead in the pot spring and summer. Place the pot on a tilt outdoors in the shade, water occasionally. In late August, set the pot upright, water regularly, fertilize lightly and you should have color again in later October.
Cyclamen are easy to care for. Their main requirement is a cool location. They love a semi-sunny room with temps in the 60's or even 50's. Anything above 70 degrees and they are not "happy campers".
When watering, feel the soil. If the soil is wet or if you're not sure if it is wet, don't water. If the soil feels dry, water well.
Sometimes you might find you've missed a watering and they are flat on the pot. They look dead! Go ahead and water well. It will take maybe as many as eight hours for them to perk up but they will perk up.
Many customers tell us they have their cyclamen for a couple of years. Then there are some who struggle to keep them for one week. It's usually a temperature issue -- too warm!
Don't expect cyclamen to bloom in spring or summer. They can, but this is not their "agenda". They are normally dormant in the summer. Their bloom time is late fall to winter. They look dead in the pot spring and summer. Place the pot on a tilt outdoors in the shade, water occasionally. In late August, set the pot upright, water regularly, fertilize lightly and you should have color again in later October.
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