To know how long does it take to grow pansies from seed requires some patience because while they have a fast growth rate, growing them from seeds is slow. Germination can take from one to three weeks, and it’s probably why the University of Arkansas recommends starting indoors instead.
If you start growing in the greenhouse, you can still bloom early in the spring compared to those that prefer sowing directly in the garden. Remember that seeds can take up to 20 days to germinate, so it’s best to start your pansies six to eight weeks before the last frost date. Regardless of the plant you’re growing; you can always improve the germination rate by ensuring optimal conditions using a greenhouse.
How Long Does It Take To Grow Pansies From Seed: What To Expect
Long germination process
As mentioned earlier, pansies take time to germinate, and it can take up to 20 days or even 50, depending on the circumstances. This is why most gardeners use a greenhouse when growing pansies from seeds so that they can start the growing season early. The good news is that after the plants grow from seed, the mature plants’ growth rate is fast.
How to grow pansies from seeds quickly
Before you feel discouraged and impatient with the long germination process, it’s still possible to quickly grow pansies from seeds. Start the seeds 10 to 12 weeks before the last frost date in the greenhouse. You should also start 14 to 16 weeks early if you plan on planting outside in early spring.
An excellent tip to ensure rapid growth from seeds is by covering the pots. The complete absence of light promotes germination, and you can expect sprouts by 14 days after placing them in a cool location. However, the optimal temperature to achieve this is 65 to 75°F, and their growing medium should be damp.
Utah State University emphasizes the importance of watering the seedbed before sowing the seeds thinly. Then, cover them with soil or sand before pressing down with a flat board. Maintain the bed’s moisture with a white plastic film and only remove them once the seeds sprout.
In this method, the university mentioned that sprouting could take around 5 to 8 days upon sowing. Your takeaway from this is that using a greenhouse and maintaining moisture and ideal temperatures will help hasten pansies’ growth from seeds. After germination, you must transfer the pansies in a place with light until you can transplant them either in spring or fall when the temperatures cool down.
Growing Pansies From Seed
Regardless of where you chose to grow the seeds, one thing is constant. The factors that can affect germination and growth rate should always be consistent.
Growing pansies from seeds outdoors
You can sow pansies indoors or outdoors, but most gardeners recommend skipping direct sowing to prevent drawbacks with fluctuating factors. You can grow pansies from seeds outside by waiting after the last frost date before sowing. The middle of the summer is also sensible because this allows the pansies to grow into the upcoming colder months.
To prevent getting washed off by the rain, you might want to sow in pots instead of the bed. You can also use old milk jugs for winter sowing. With the latter method, you can expect the seeds to germinate on their own once the conditions are ideal.
Growing pansies from seeds indoors
You can use a soilless seed-starting mix or make your own using peat moss and vermiculite. It’s best to start without fertilizer first because it can burn developing roots. Since the seeds are tiny, you should only cover them lightly with soil and then water the mix to keep the medium moist.
When the seedlings develop four true leaves, use a water-soluble fertilizer to support further growth. You can then transplant the pansies after the last frost in spring. Space the plants 6 inches apart in an area that has well-draining soil and receives morning sun.
If you’re wary of transplant shock, you want to maintain soil moisture. Start by watering well and promote retention of water using organic mulch around your pansies.
Common Problems When Growing Pansies
You might encounter fungal diseases such as gray mold and leaf spot when growing pansies. If growing in a greenhouse, you can easily prevent these diseases because you control the environment and cleanliness is more manageable. It’s also likely to see pests like aphids and spider mites on the plants, so stick to practices that will prevent infestation and control their population.
Conclusion
Gardening is not always quick, but all plants are worth the wait. Do you know how long does it take to grow pansies from seed? These beautiful flowers can take 20 to 50 days to germinate, which is why starting them indoors is more sensible to be productive early on. Additionally, using a greenhouse can help achieve the optimal germination requirements such as darkness and temperatures of 65 to 75°F.
If the environment is supportive, your seeds can sprout at 5 to 8 days. Afterward, you can transplant the seedlings when they develop true leaves. Maintain soil moisture to prevent transplant shock and always check your climate for any upcoming garden challenges.