planting pansy's?

Question

how do you do germination?

whats next after germination?

plant food?

do they need direct sun or?

can they be planted in august anyway?

any maintainence?

how much water?

THANKS!!!

Answer 1

True pansies can weather temperatures in the single digits and bounce back after the weather warms. But they can be that strong and resourceful only if they've had a chance to get a good footing before cold weather hits. For best results, plant pansies when the soil temperature is between 45 and 65 degrees F. Soil temperatures below 45 degrees at planting time results in inactive roots, stunted plants, and little or no flowering. But if you plant too early--when the soil is above 65 degrees--you'll wind up with leggy plants, yellowish leaves and few flowers. leggy plants, yellowish leaves and few flowers. Pansies planted then are also more susceptible to frost.

Give pansies what they want--well-drained, rich soil in a sunny to partly shady location. Amend the soil with a little finished compost or rotted manure. To ensure good drainage and to help them stand out a bit more in your design, raise the planting bed by a few inches.
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/gl_seasonal_fall/article/0,1785,HGTV_3625_1391739,00.html

You will probably need to start your own seeds, since plants usually aren't available at this time of year. Avoid using fertilizers containing high amounts of slow-release ammoniacal nitrogen. "High rates of ammoniacal nitrogen will cause pansy stems to stretch and become succulent during the warm fall weather. This weakens the plants and makes them more susceptible to winter injury. Ammoniacal nitrogen also is slow to be absorbed by the plants during the winter months when soil temperatures drop below 45 degrees F. Pansies can starve during the winter months even though the soil contains high amounts of ammoniacal nitrogen....
A thorough drenching of the soil at transplant with 150 ppm of a soluble greenhouse fertilizer such as 20-10-20 will work well for the first weeks of September and October. Avoid high rates of nitrogen during September and later in April and May.."
http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/horticulture/pansies.html

Water plants well & apply pine straw 2-4 inches thick to protect pansys from freeze injury.

Good luck! Hope this helps.

Answer 2

This is a great idea that will give you even more lovely flowers to enjoy. The bulbs will sprout just fine and will grow up through and around the pansies. You can also grow annuals over and around spring bulbs in the garden.