Polyanthus Seeds
Hi guys, I sowed some viola and pansy seed in October last year and potted on and kept them in my greenhouse over winter for planting out now. They have been out for a couple of weeks now all in pots. I'm finding them rather disappointing being so low to the ground and not many blooms as yet. If the weather turns milder I suppose they will pick up but still to low to the ground for my liking.
However as I now realise their a low growing plant I would like to go with something with a bit more height for next spring. Polyanthus I think may be a better choice from what I've been reading. Looking at the Dobies website it states:
'Sow March-July, planting out September-October to flower March-May the following year.'
Planting out is what's confusing me. I realise there likely hardy and can take the winter weather but, wouldn't I do as I did with the viola and pansy and simply overwinter them in the greenhouse and plant them out at the end of February beginning March to give them a better start in Spring.
If any of you guys grow Polyanthus can you explain what you do. If you have a greenhouse would you keep them there or plant out in October and leave them open to the elements.
PS I'll be planting them all in pots.
Many thanks for your help
Kili
'The power of accurate observation .... is commonly called cynicism by those that have not got it.
George Bernard Shaw'
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Any Polyanthus growers?
'The power of accurate observation .... is commonly called cynicism by those that have not got it.
George Bernard Shaw'
I don't grow polyanthus but I do grow other primulas.
If sowing polyanthus for early spring bedding I would prick them out into pots and keep them in pots, potting on as necessary through the summer, and plant them out in the autumn.
If you plant them out earlier than that, your beds are occupied by green plants with no flowers for the summer ... if that's ok with you then go ahead and plant them out once they're big enough, but the traditional way, as described above, allows for successional planting so you have colour though the year.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Polyanthus seeds take one month to germinate. But the plants are not taller than pansies or violas...
Meant to say, I'd keep the pots outside in a semi-shaded spot.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Dovefromabove, thanks for your help.
I was hoping to keep them in large pots mixed with daffodil bulbs in the greenhouse through the winter then move the pots out in early spring to brighten up the place as the winters are so cold and dark a bit of early colour would help lift the gloom of winter. I dont plan to put them in the one raised border I have but that plan might change if its not practical to have them in pots.
Would having them in the greenhouse over winter force them on too early as I would like to have a display about now early March?
Dimwit, thanks for the germination info I did not realise they took so long to germinate. Not sure what version of pansy or violas I've grown but alongside the polyanthus I see at my work place they look very low to the ground and rather insignificant in comparsion to the taller stems of the polyanthus.
Thanks for your help guys I'm still a novice at all this gardening stuff but its great fun learning
Kili
'The power of accurate observation .... is commonly called cynicism by those that have not got it.
George Bernard Shaw'