Pansy Delta, Colossus and Sky
GENERAL CULTURE
Stage 1 – Coat Crack and Radicle Emerges
Media: Sow seed in a moist, nutrient enriched media
pH: 5.5-5.8
Temperature: 65-70°F (18-21°C)
Humidity: Maintain high humidity at the seed level
Covering: Lightly cover with coarse vermiculite
Moisture: Moderate soil moisture
Time: 4-7 days
Stage 2 – Stem and Cotyledon Emergence
Temperature: 64-66°F (18-19°C)
Humidity: Low
Moisture: Moderate soil moisture
Light: Moderate
Fertilizer: 50ppm
Time: 5-8 days
Temperature: 60-62°F (16-17°C)
Humidity: Medium
Moisture: Soil moisture levels fluctuate between wet and dry
Light: Moderate
Fertilizer: 150ppm
Time: 14 days
Stage 4 – Hardening Before Shipping or Transplanting
Temperature: 60-62°F (16-17°C) Moisture: Soil moisture levels fluctuate between wet and dry Light: High Fertilizer: 100ppm Time: 14 days
NUTRITION
Pansies are very sensitive to high soluble salts, so you may wish to test your medium before sowing or planting. A good way to tell if the medium has a high salts level is when the pansy radicle twists and grows along the soil surface and will not penetrate the medium.
TRANSPLANTING
Media: Use a high quality sterile medium pH: 5.5-5.8 Timing: If plants are big enough to handle, transplant to the final container three weeks after sowing
GROWING ON
pH: 5.5-5.8 Temperature: 60-62°F (15.5-16.5°C). Approximately 30-40 days after sowing, the temperature may be dropped to 49-59°F (9-15°C). Lower temperatures help initiate flowers, however night temperatures below 55°F (13°C) will delay flowers. Higher night temperatures
hasten flowering. Moisture: Avoid over-watering; a slight wilt between watering is OK. Moderate humidity. Light: Avoid direct sunlight after germination. Light quality and accumulation are the key factors in flower time. Our experience shows that to initiate flower buds, there is a dependency on light accumulation. Artificial lighting will help somewhat when adding light or extending the day length. The quality of light is very important. Even under short days, if the light quality is good, there will be bud initiation.
Fertilization: 100-200 ppm N in the form of calcium and potassium nitrate. Provide additional minor elements in pansy culture, unless they are already incorporated into the medium at planting.
Growth Regulator: Growing cool and slowly will provide the best overall plant. Response to growth regulators varies per cultivar and color. Do not apply any growth regulator once buds have appeared, as this will reduce flower size. Read and follow all label directions. The best growth regulator on pansies is DIF, which will help control stem length and also hasten flowering.
Thielaviopsis Symptoms include black root areas followed by wilt above ground. Provide good Root Rot: drainage, watch pH and practice sanitation measures.
Ramularia: Exhibits itself as dark green-black spots on older leaves that turn to brown circular spots with yellow edge later. This is a fungal disease, often followed by secondary infection of Botrytis, and is commonly a problem in high humidity areas. Provide good ventilation at the plant level.
Thrips and Both can be vectors for viral and viral-like diseases such as Aster Yellows and Spotted Leafhoppers: Wilt Viruses.
Delta/Delta Premium Summer Pansy Culture
Initial and Secondary Fertilization
100 ppm of a pansy fertilizer, 15-3-20
Start at day 7-10 or when roots first reach edge of container
Raise to 200-250 ppm N as plant growth dictates
Extra Push
If faster growth is needed, use 250-300ppm of a 15-2-20 or 150-200ppm of a fertilizer containing no more than 40% of total N as NH4 (urea); 20-10-20 blend works well.
DELTA GROWTH REGULATORS:
When nights are 65°F, use a B-Nine/CCC tank mix @ 2500ppm/1000ppm
When nights are cooler than 65°F, use B-Nine/CCC tank mix @ 2500ppm/750ppm
When nights are 75°F or warmer, use the B-Nine/CCC tank mix initially, and as plants reach 70-75% of finished size, drench with 2oz Bonzi/100 gallons of water. Do this only once. Avoid spreader stickers.
*Note that Delta Premium varieties may require less growth regulators than standard Delta varieties
FLAT MANAGEMENT:
Keep flats off the ground to allow airflow and root zone cooling and drying
FUNGICIDE APPLICATIONS:
Three to five days after planting, drench plugs with Banrot. Subsequent fungicide applications should be on an as-needed basis. Clearys and Subdue tank mixes also work well as drenches. Clearys or Kocide work well as foliar sprays, but Kocide may stain leaves and flowers.
These tips should be considered as guidelines only. Adjustments should be made based upon local growing environment. Read and follow all label directions.
CROP TIME IN NORTH (Subtract 1-2 weeks in South) (Sowing to first flowers)
Delta/Delta Premium:
SPRING
36 cell pack 12-14 weeks
4-inch pot 13-15 weeks
FALL
36 cell pack 11-12 weeks
4-inch pot 12-13 weeks
Colossus:
SPRING
36 cell pack 13-15 weeks
4-inch pot 14-15 weeks
FALL
36 cell pack 12-13 weeks
4-inch pot 13-14 weeks
Sky:
SPRING
36 cell pack 14-16 weeks
4-inch pot 15-16 weeks
FALL
36 cell pack 13-14 weeks
4-inch pot 14-15 weeks