Cultural information for:

Cultural Information for: Pansy Crown
Common Name:
Transplanting: 5-6 weeks
Botanical Name:
Media: Transplant plugs into a well aerated soil mix with a
Seed Count:
pH between 5.5 and 5.8. Avoid planting the plugs too deep Optimum Germination Temperature:
Optimum Growing Temperature:
Temperature: Optimum day temperature is 62-68°F/17-20
Plug Culture - 35 days (288 / 12 x 24 tray)
Stage One (days 1-6) Sow pansy seed in a well-aerated
Fertilizer: Fertilize with 200 ppm N from a well-balanced
plug mix with a pH between 5.5 and 5.8, and cover lightly fertilizer to ensure a healthy start. Pansies are sensitive to with a medium or coarse vermiculite. After sowing, water boron deficiency characterized by deep green foliage, the plug flats well and maintain a soil temperature between crinkled foliage and tip abortion. It is recommended to 64-68°F/18-20°C. The use of primed seed and a supply 0.25 ppm of boron at each watering. Be sure to germination chamber with a fine mist system to maintain check the boron level in your water supply to avoid oversupplying this microelement. Pansy special fertilizers are formulated with higher microelements and highly Stage Two (days 7-14) If using a germination chamber, be
sure to remove pansy plug flats when the seed coat is cracked. When green begins to appear in the flat, lightly Growth regulator: Providing optimum temperatures, high
fertilize with 75 ppm of nitrogen from a well-balanced light, good ventilation and low ammonium promotes fertilizer. Applying 0.25 ppm of boron, if needed, using compact plants. Crown flowers later and may require Solubor or Borax, is recommended to avoid boron additional applications of plant growth regulators compared deficiency. Maintain temperatures as cool as possible with to Dynamite. If needed, B-Nine, Cycocel, and A-Rest are good air-flow. Supply up to 3,000 foot candles / 32,000 lux of light. After the initial feed, begin fertilizing with 200 ppm of N from a well-balanced fertilizer containing trace Pests: Major pests include fungus gnat, shore fly, thrip,
elements. A calcium nitrate-based fertilizer works well to caterpillar, cut worm, cabbage looper, slug and spider mite. Diseases: Major root diseases include Pythium,
Stage Three (days 15-28) Plug trays are beginning to fill in
Phytopthora and Thielaviopsis. Thielaviopsis or black root so reduce fertilizer applications. When applying fresh water, rot is often a problem early in the season when (no fertilizer), still apply trace elements; especially boron, temperatures are high. Research has shown that the and keep water alkalinity at 60-80 HCO3 to maintain soil pH disease is checked at a pH of 5.5 or lower. Avoid high between 5.5 and 5.8. Fertilizer concentrations can be ammonium levels and the use of the chemical reduced to 150 ppm N, but maintain trace elements at full Subdue/Metaxyl which encourage the development of this strength; especially boron at 0.25 ppm. Ideally, pansy plug disease. Anthracnose or leaf spot can be a problem during flats should be given higher light levels to control stretch. periods of high heat and humidity. Foliar applications of Moving plants outdoors under a saran house will reduce Zyban and Manzate will help control this disease. A systmic temperatures and provide optimal air movement. Maintain drench also supplies good control. Good sanitation and light levels up to 7,000 foot candles / 75,000 lux, but avoid moisture management work well to prevent most of these heat and water stress. If plant height control is needed, B- Nine (daminozide), Cycocel (cholormequat) and A-Rest (ancymidol) are effective. Begin spraying when the leaves Crop Timing:*
are the size of a dime. Optimum EC is 1.0 to 1.2 mmhos Cell packs – 5-6weeks from transplanting 4 inch/10 cm pots – 6-7 weeks from transplanting Stage Four (days 29-35) Plug flats are approaching market
Note: Crown is more sensitive to day length and
size, feed every 2nd or 3rd watering, alternating with acid, temperature than is Dynamite. High heat and short days (if needed), and trace elements to maintain soil pH and trace element supply; especially boron. During periods of
hot and humid weather, or before shipping plugs in a box or
truck, apply either Manzate or Zyban to control
anthracnose. Do not delay transplanting which delays
flowering and reduces quality.
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