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Viola seed head or new flower

DavidstockleDavidstockle Posts: 2
in Plants
 hi. I am dead heading my winter violas and am concerned I am removing a new flower head instead of a seed head. I know what a seed head looks like (round or oval ball) but can't find any pictures of what a new flower head looks like. How do I tell the difference. Thanks

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited October 2018


    Viola flower bud

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    And there’s another coming just below. My favourite flowers, I’ve always got pansies and  viola seedling at some stage or another. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    But before they get to colour, it's very difficult to know which is which.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • DavidstockleDavidstockle Posts: 2
    Thanks for your replies. How do you tell the difference before the flower head gets to colour. If they are very similar I might be cutting the wrong ones off. Are the seed heads round and flower heads oval. 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited October 2018
    The seed heads are much plumper than the flower buds ... before the buds get any colour they are tiny ... and very slim ... look at the one in my pic ... below and to the right of the purple bud and partly hidden by a leaf ...

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    The leaves curl backwards on the seed pod and if you gently squeeze they are hard.

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Thanks guys, I'll go out tomorrow with my glasses on and practice on my violas!
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
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