Pansies from seed

[jpaull]

I've been successful in starting many different flowers from seed, but I've never successfully germinated pansies. The most common consensus is that they should be started in a moist seed starting mix in total darkness about 60 - 65 degrees. I have sown hundreds of seeds this way in numerous trials with no success. I also tried cold stratifying them before planting with no success. I saw one video on YouTube of a commercial nursery that claims to germinate them in 48 hours in a hot box at 100% humidity.

Can anyone provide insight for me?

Thank you!

Paul

 

[Sheal]

Welcome Paul.

I've grown hundreds of Pansies in the past from seed. I sowed them in trays of plain (garden centre supplied) multi-purpose compost and placed them in a heated propagator with a clear top until they germinated. Temperature around 60 to 65 degrees as you've said above. No darkness or stratifying necessary. Once big enough to handle I planted them individually into sectional trays below and moved them to a cool but not cold room until developed enough to move to a cold greenhouse. From there I hardened them off outside ready for planting. They are a little slower than other seeds to germinate and grow on.

I noticed you posted this thread in 'Perennials'. Here in Britain we tend to grow them as annuals as they don't over winter very well.

 

[jpaull]

Hello Sheal. How long is the germination period for you?

Paul

 

[Sheal]

Ah, now there's a question! It's seven or eight years since I last grew them but I think they germinated in less than a week.