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Violas - no buds

NaseemBanuNaseemBanu Posts: 72
in Plants
Hello,

I planted some Viola seeds and have healthy, young plants. However, bar one, none have yet produced buds. 

I'd be grateful for advice on where I might be going wrong. I've included a photo of the one plant that has a flower. Can't remember the type of Viola - have lost the packet!

Posts

  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,719
    edited May 2023


    Looks  like Viola tricolour.
    Given time the others should  flower.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viola_tricolor

    Quote wiki...Viola tricolor is a common European wild flower, growing as an annual or short-lived perennial. The species is also known as wild pansy, Johnny Jump up (though this name is also applied to similar species such as the yellow pansy), heartsease, heart's ease, heart's delight, tickle-my-fancy, Jack-jump-up-and-kiss-me, come-and-cuddle-me, three faces in a hood, love-in-idleness, and pink of my john. 

    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    I grow a lot of pansies and violas,  I don’t let them flower until they have grown to big plants,  if you pick of those first flowers the rest of the plant will then romp away. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • NaseemBanuNaseemBanu Posts: 72
    Many thanks Silver Surfer. I'll be more patient. 

    Lyn, many thanks for your expert advice. I'll take that flower off and wait for the plants to grow. However, whilst the plants look very healthy, their growth feels arrested. But, this could just be my impatience speaking. 


  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    @Naseem. it takes a lot of the plants energy to produce a flower, that’s why your plants are not very big yet,  they will grow,  just nip off the first few flowers then when they’ve grown into big plants they’ll be loads of flowers. 
    Later on,  when you do let them flower,  pick of the dead ones as you see them,  then at the end of the season,  leave some seed pods on to go brown, then you can sow those ready for next year. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • NaseemBanuNaseemBanu Posts: 72
    That's most helpful Lyn. Many thanks.

    I love any shade of blue pansy. Would you be able to advise on any particular varieties that are easy to grow from seed? Hope you don't mind me pulling on you for more help. 
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    I love them all, any colours,  if I see a packet of seeds or I’ve collected some,  that’s what I settle for.
    They are best germinated early (Late Feb to March) or later in the year (September)  not when it’s too hot,  but they are all easy to germinate.  You can sow them at different times to stagger flowering.
    Have a look on EBay,  Premier seeds Direct or Happy Green Shop are good.  Wilco have some if you’ve got a store nearby. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • NaseemBanuNaseemBanu Posts: 72
    Thank you so much Lyn. Will check out the sites. You've inspired me!
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