Pansy Introduction and Picture Gallery: Get to Know This Flower

The pansy is a common flower in courtyards and parks. Because its flowers usually come in three colors - white, purple and yellow - it gets its name. This type of flower is greatly affected by light and is generally not suitable for growing indoors. Below we take a look together at the Pansy Introduction and Picture Gallery.

1. The morphology of the pansy

The pansy stem grows 10-40cm tall, and the whole plant is smooth. The above-ground stem is fairly thick, upright or slightly leaning, angular, single or multi-branched. The flowers are large, about 3.5-6cm in diameter, with 3-10 flowers per stem, and usually each flower has three colors: purple, white and yellow; the pedicel is slightly thick, solitary in the leaf axil, with 2 opposite small bracts on the upper part; the bracteoles are extremely small, ovate-triangular.

2. The distribution range of the pansy

It is cultivated for ornamental purposes in parks throughout China. It originated in northern Europe, and is widely cultivated in both northern and southern China. As a medicinal plant, it is grown in small amounts in Hebei Province.

3. Varieties of the pansy

Giant-flowered series: flower diameter can reach 10cm. Such as Magnificent Giant Flower, Oregon Giant Flower, Roggli and Jixin.

Large-flowered series: flower diameter 6~8cm. For example, Swiss Giant is a dwarf variety with bright flower colors.

Medium-flowered series: flower diameter 4~6cm. Such as Sanmadu and Haima, suitable for flower bed arrangement.

Cut-flower series: the plants of this variety group are tall, with flower stalks 15~25cm long, suitable for protected cultivation.

4. Notes on growing pansies

(1) Light

The pansy likes ample sunlight. Light is an important limiting factor for flowering, and day length has a greater effect on flowering than light intensity. Poor sunlight results in poor flowering. During cultivation, make sure the plant receives no less than 4h of direct sunlight every day. But because its root system is sensitive to light, under light conditions the young roots cannot smoothly penetrate the soil, so before the radicle grows small it does not need light. When the seedlings grow 2~3 true leaves, sunlight should be gradually increased to make them grow more robustly.

(2) Temperature control

The pansy likes cool conditions, dislikes high temperatures and fears severe cold. It grows well within a temperature range of 12~18°C and can tolerate low temperatures of 0°C. Temperature is a limiting factor affecting pansy flowering. It develops well under conditions of a daytime temperature of 15~25°C and a nighttime temperature of 3~5°C.

Seedlings must go through a low-temperature environment of 28~56d before they can flower smoothly. If they are planted directly in a warm environment, the flowering period will instead be delayed. If the daytime temperature stays continuously above 30°C, the flower buds disappear or petals do not form. If there is sudden heat with high temperatures reaching 28°C or above, strive for good ventilation to lower the temperature and prevent wilting and death.

(3) Fertilization

Pansies are best fertilized with light applications given frequently. After two true leaves have grown, nitrogen fertilizer can be applied, with 0.1% urea sprayed early on. Near the flowering period, phosphorus fertilizer can be increased. Before flowering, apply a dilute compound liquid fertilizer 3 times, and during the bud stage add 2 applications of 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution. After flowering, fertilization can be reduced. During the growing period, apply decomposed liquid fertilizer once every 10~15d, and during the growth period apply fertilizer once every 20~30d. Deformed, wrinkled pansy leaves are often caused by calcium deficiency, which can be improved by applying more calcium nitrate. In addition, note that when temperatures are relatively low, ammoniacal nitrogen fertilizer will cause pansy root rot.

(4) Watering

The pansy likes a slightly moist soil environment and is not drought-tolerant. During the growing period, keep the soil moist; in winter it should be on the dry side. Each watering should follow the principle of seeing dry and seeing wet. When the plant is flowering, maintaining sufficient water is necessary for increasing flower size and flower quantity. In seasons with higher temperatures and strong light, pay attention to timely watering.