Growing Delta Premium Series Pansy Garden Seeds
- Taxonomy: Viola x wittrockiana
- Seed Type: Annual
- Sow Indoors or Outdoors: Sow Delta Premium Series pansy seeds indoors 12 – 14 weeks before the final frost. Pansies do not grow naturally in the wild and are not recommended for direct sowing. Maintain pansy seeds in complete darkness for germination then place beneath fluorescent grow lights for 16 hours per day with 8 hours of darkness. Harden-off seedlings before transplanting outside into shady and cool spot in the garden or comparable place indoors.
- Days to Maturity: 91 – 98 days
- Hardiness Zone: 4 – 10
- Planting Depth: Plant 3 – 4 seeds ¼” deep
- Plant Spacing: 6”
- Growth Habit: 4 – 6” dwarf mound with a tidy 6 – 8” spread covered in generous 3” blooms
- Soil Preference: Moist, hummus-rich, well-drained
- Light Preference: Full sun – partial shade
- Diseases/Pests/Troubleshooting: Avoid overhead watering to minimize wetting foliage as Delta Premium Series pansy seeds are susceptible to fungal and leaf diseases if not properly ventilated. Delta Premium Series pansies are a dwarfed 4 – 6” tall variety and should be planted on the south end of the garden to avoid being overshadowed. Pansies have no serious pests or diseases, but monitor regularly for slugs and snails.
- Color: Signature choice of Neon Violet, Orange Blotch, Pure Golden Yellow, Pure Lemon, Red Blotch, Fire, True Blue, Pure Violet, Pure Light Blue, Pure Orange, Yellow Blotch, White, and Mix
Sow Delta Premium Series pansy seeds indoors using a starting kit 12 – 14 weeks before the final frost. Pansies do not grow naturally in the wild and are not recommended for direct sowing. Maintain pansy seeds in complete darkness for germination then place beneath fluorescent grow lights for 16 hours per day with 8 hours of darkness. Harden-off seedlings before transplanting outside into shady and cool spot in the garden or comparable place indoors. Plant 3 – 4 Delta Premium Series pansy seeds ¼” deep and 6” apart in moist, hummus-rich, and well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Avoid overhead watering to minimize wetting foliage as Delta Premium Series pansy seeds are susceptible to fungal and leaf diseases if not properly ventilated. Delta Premium Series pansies are a dwarfed 4 – 6” tall variety and should be planted on the south end of the garden to avoid being overshadowed. Pansies have no serious pests or diseases, but monitor regularly for slugs and snails. Delta Premium Series pansy seeds mature in 91 – 98 days as 4 – 6” dwarf mounds with a tidy 6 – 8” spread covered in generous 3” blooms in a variety of signature series of colors.
Viola x wittrockiana is a hybrid resulting from tri-colored violas. The pansy only exists as a result of mass crossing and hybridizing of the viola during the 19th century and has never grown naturally in the wild. There is much debate and etymological red tape about interchanging the common terms “pansies”, “violas”, and “violets”. The species wittrockiana pays homage to 19th century pioneering botanist Veit Brecher Wittrock.