If you are a regular reader you will know that I have been disappointed with the results of my seed sown pompom dahlias. The seed company tell me that the lack of pompoms in this type of dahlia can be a result of the plant undergoing stress at any point during its growth - what plant hasn't been stressed this year? They have offered me a free packet of seeds so I can try again next year but I have declined the offer as I have already decided that next year I will try single dahlias. I have changed my mind about trying to overwinter some of the tubers though - that is if any tubers have formed - I'd like to find out if any of the tubers will form pompoms next year.
As well as a lack of pompoms I was also disappointed by the colour range so I was a bit apprehensive about the pansy seeds that I had sowed.
I usually buy pansy plants from a favourite nursery but this year I decided to try growing my own and bought two packets of seeds.
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The packet of Unwins seeds was to replace these which were sown by mistake in April and which ended up as slug and snail fodder. Sowing my own seed proved a good move in two way - firstly I have ended up with far more plants and my tubs (and my sister's tubs) could be crammed with plants and secondly the favourite nursery made the shock announcement that the owners were retiring and the nursery was closing down.
The slugs have still had a little nibble but the plants were much bigger when they were planted out so I'm hoping they will cope. (By the way to see what a slug will resort to for a meal go take a look at the photo at the bottom of this post on Martyn's blog You won't believe your eyes!)
I'm also pleased with the colour range that I have achieved.
Yellow is probably the most common colour but this seems to happen with most pansy mixes - I always had to swap around pots in the trays at the nursery as there were more yellows than anything else (it was allowed). There is also a mix of types of markings with whiskers, plain and blotched faces. This is just the range in my tubs - my sister has some different colours in hers. So its dahlias 0 pansies 10 and I'll be growing pansies from seed again next year!
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Your pansies are beautiful! I tend to like the dark colored ones the best.
ReplyDeleteI like the dark ones that look like velvet, Robin
DeleteI grew some pansies this year...not as many as you but they look pretty. You do have a lovely range and although you have a few yellow at least they are different shades with different characteristics.
ReplyDeleteI seem to attract yellow flowers Tanya but as you say there is plenty of variety in the yellow pansies.
DeleteYou've grown a great mix, I particularly like the orange one.
ReplyDeleteMy sister has a lovely shade of orange in her mix, Jo. It's paler - for some reason I didn't end up with one that colour although she has several.
DeleteI've always wondered about growing pansies from seed but I've never tried. I think I might be tempted now. Your collage of pansies is so pretty, they are fab plants.
ReplyDeleteI'll definitely be growing them again Kelli
DeleteThe "stress" business sounds to me like a convenient excuse for the seed company...
ReplyDeleteIt does, doesn't it, Mark? Our plot neighbour has pompoms that he has grown each year from tubers and they are fully pompomed. According to the response I got it can affect either seed grown or those from tubers. I'm going to see if the same plants produce pompoms next year
DeleteYour pansies are lovely - they are such good value for money aren't they. I still have to get mine I usually go for lilacs and purples - maybe another year I will try and grow from seed.
ReplyDeleteYou could buy a packet of seed that just produces the purple range, Elaine or a couple of packets with different shades.
DeleteFab range of colours! Will p'raps try these next year. This being our first season on the plot, and me previously only being interested in things we can eat, the only flowers we've grown are nasturtiums. Any recommendations for other flowers that grow easily and will give colour for a good amount of time?
ReplyDeleteDid you want annuals or perennials, Lee?
DeleteBoth/ either. Maximum colour, minimum fuss being the preference!
DeleteIn our front garden I planted mostly perennials and tried to plant things that flower for a long time and follow on from one another. WE have had colour here since the first spring bulbs and it's still really colourful and has needed very little attention other than a bit of cutting back and dead heading. If you visit my website here which may be of some help. there is a list of the perennials I used. I've also added bulbs for spring colour and some antirrhinums which I hope will self seed next year and fill gaps. If you also sow some hardy annuals they should also seed themselves for you. Sunflowers could be added for a bit of height and for the birds and bees as long as you don't choose a pollen free variety. Don't grow double flowers as bees and butterflies can't access the pollen/nectar.
DeleteAsking questions are in fact nice thing if you are not understanding anything fully, except this post provides
ReplyDeletefastidious understanding even.
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I was kind of surprise to hear the company gave such a weak excuse of the plant undergone stress which make them not pompom. Hope your pansy cheer you up with the dahlia dissapointment.
ReplyDeleteAt least the bees and butterflies are still enjoying the dahlias Diana
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