Home › P › Propagation (Pansies are readily multiplied)

Propagation (Pansies are readily multiplied)

Pansies are readily multiplied by seeds, cuttings, and, sometimes, by layers. Seeds may be sown at almost any time of year; but, as planting out is best performed in spring or early autumn, it is advisable to sow with a view to preparing plants for these two seasons--namely, in June for transplanting in autumn, and in August or September, for spring. The seeds should be sown in pans of light soil, covered slightly, and placed in a very gentle heat, or in a cold frame. They soon germinate, and the seedlings, when large enough to handle, should be pricked out in an unheated frame, or in boxes. Before planting outside, it is important that good roots be formed, and that balls of soil should adhere to them; on this condition, much of the after-success depends. Pansy cuttings strike readily towards the latter part of summer, in cold frames, or in a cool, shady border, such as that alongside a wall or hedge, facing north. Side-shoots are to be preferred for cuttings; they may frequently be procured from the base with roots already formed. The soil should be of a sandy nature, and it should be pressed firmly around the cuttings at the time of inserting. Plants so obtained may be placed in their permanent quarters in autumn, or in a prepared border, with a view to lifting them again with better roots and with balls of soil. Layering may be recommended for increasing good varieties that produce but few base shoots; and division of the old plants, in August and September, is, in some instances, a profitable method, because such a quantity of rooted plants may be obtained. Where a large stock of Pansies has to be kept up, it will be necessary to keep inserting cuttings all through the season. Cultivation. Pansies, for ordinary garden decoration, will thrive in almost any soil, without special treatment, provided the position is neither too hot nor too dry. It is principally on account of their preference for a cool, moist bottom that the plants succeed so much better, generally, in the northern parts of Britain than in the southern. If good culture and generous treatment are accorded by the special preparation of beds for, at least, all the choicer varieties, flowers of greater size and substance may be obtained, and the flowering season may also be considerably prolonged thereby. This becomes well-nigh a necessity, if exhibiting is attempted, as only large flowers with all their qualities properly developed are of any use. Fibry loam, thoroughly decomposed cowmanure, or horse droppings, and some sharp sand or road grit, should be used for digging in with the ordinary soil, which it is essential should also be of a good depth. A mulching of old potting soil, leaf mould, and other manure may be given as a top-dressing, so soon as the flowering season begins, and again later on. Such mulchings have a wonderful effect in dry, hot weather by keeping the ground cool, and, to a great extent, preventing evaporation. Deep planting is also recommended, as it places the roots in a much cooler and more moist medium than if they were near the surface. A position neither too much exposed to the mid-day sun, nor over-shadowed by trees, should, if possible, be selected for growing Pansies, when fine flowers are desired. When a southern aspect is, for some reason, unavoidable, a light shading of tiffany is sometimes employed for a few hours each hot day along the sunny side. Strong plants for early flowering, placed in their permanent quarters in September, should be protected, in case of severe weather, with some light litter. Spring planting should be attended to as early as weather permits, say, the end of February, or early in March, in order that the roots may become the better established before hot weather arrives. When watering is necessary in summer, a good soaking should be given, and this only in the evening. Slight waterings are frequently more injurious than beneficial. If flowers for exhibition are required, only about four or six main shoots should be allowed each plant; others being pinched off occasionally as they are formed. All blossoms may also be removed until about three weeks before a show; this tends to strengthen the plants, and increase the size of their flowers.

Culture in Pots. Where this method of growing Pansies is adopted, strong plants should be inserted in 4in. pots early in October, and be placed in a cold frame, with a south aspect. Plenty of air and light are essential. During mild weather, the sashes should be removed: when it is frosty, coverings are preferable to artificial heat. In February, the plants should be transferred into 7in. or 8in. pots, using plenty of drainage, and a rich, open soil. By keeping the shoots tied out, and the flower-buds pinched off, good plants soon develop. From April onwards, frames with a northern aspect would be better, on account of being cooler.

Varieties. Of these the number may almost be said to be legion, so great a variation in colour and markings do the plants represent. See Fig. 26. There are two sections into which Pansies are divided, namely, Fancy and Show. Varieties of the latter are further sub-divided, according to the colour of their flowers, into three classes, termed respectively Selfs, White Grounds, and Yellow Grounds. The Selfs are either black, maroon, primrose, white, or yellow. White Grounds have a large, central, dark blotch round the eye, then a ring, either of white or cream-colour, and an outer band of bronze, purple, or maroon. Fancy, or Belgian, Pansies have various colours and tints curiously blended in their different flowers, the petals being blotched, flamed, and edged, and quite distinct from those of the Show section. A third section is sometimes made on behalf of Bedding varieties. These are usually self-coloured, and are distinguished by their compact and floriferous habit, and, as a rule, rather small flowers. They are more the offspring of V. cornuta and V. lutea than of the Pansy, V. tricolor, and are more generally known as Violas. The line of demarcation, however, between a Viola and a Pansy is now practically undefinable. Subjoined is a list, which comprises varieties of Fancy and Show Pansies of excellent quality in every respect; some new ones of 1885 are denoted by daggers (??). For a selection of floriferous Bedding varieties, see Viola.

Fancy Pansies.

ALEXANDER GRANT, dagger?? dense brown blotches; upper petals bright yellow, margined and flaked crimson. ALEX, KIRK, yellow, with mulberry blotches on all the petals. ALEX. M'COMB, violet blotches; upper petals and margins claret; distinct and fine. BEAUTY, dagger?? dark rosy-crimson blotch; side and upper petals laced with white; fine form. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN, white, purple blotches; upper petals purple-edged; fine. CAPTAIN HOUSTOUN, mulberry blotches; upper petals crimson; large. CATHERINE AGNES, purple, edged white. COLINSBURGH, dagger?? yellow, dense maroon blotches; extra. COLONEL WELSH, mulberry blotches; upper petals violet, primrose margin; fine form. DAVID FINDLAY, dark violet blotches; upper petals claret, primrose margin. EFFIE WELSH, violet blotches on all the petals, white margin. EVELYN BRUCE, blotches mulberry; upper petals yellow, with crimson margins; extra. JAMES GRIEVE, dagger?? yellow, flaked with red, dense, dark blotches; large; extra good. JOHN GOLD, pale crimson, dense, black blotches. MAGGIE COCHRA, dagger?? blotches bluish-purple, edged white; upper petals white, rayed rosypurple; extra. MARTHA M'INTOSH, dagger?? dense blue blotches; upper petals puce, edged white; fine eye. MAY FERGUSON, dagger?? blotches dark blue; upper petals white, flaked purple, edged pure white. MAY TATE. yellow, shaded red. MISS BLISS, yellow self, dense blotches; extra. MRS. DALGETY, upper petals and blotches violet, white lacing. MRS. G. P. FRAME, dark blotches, shaded crimson, white lacing. MRS. HUTT, yellow self, dense mulberry blotches; extra. MRS. M. H. MILLER, upper petals flamed carmine, edged gold. MRS. T. M'COMB, mulberry blotches; upper petals purple; extra. MRS. W. D. BLACK, dagger?? rich maroon blotch; upper and side petals shaded rosy-purple, edged with white. MRS. WELSH, very dark violet self, pure white margin; extra fine. MRS. WM. M. WELSH, violet blotch, edged carmine; distinct. PERFECTION, mulberry blotch; upper petals violet. PILRIG, dagger?? mulberry blotches; fine eye; upper petals yellow, margined with crimson. PLORA GEM, dense, dark blotches, clear white margin round all the petals. ROYAL QUEEN, deep orange, edged rosy-purple; one of the largest fancies. SUNBEAM, light cream self, with solid blue blotches; fine. T. M'COMB, rich crimson; extra. WM. CUTHBERTSON, yellow, shaded crimson. WM. DICK, dagger?? dense maroon blotches, fine eye, margined with golden yellow. WM. HOWIE dagger??, dense maroon blotches; upper petals flaked crimson and orange, golden-yellow edge; extra fine. Show Pansies.

Class I. Selfs.--A. FOX, dark and smooth. BLACK PRINCE, very dark; fine form. COUNTESS OF ROSEBERRY, dagger?? primrose, dark blotch and eye; extra fine. DR. GRAY, azure-blue, dense blotch, distinct. GOMAR, deep yellow; fine. ISA CRAIG, primrose, dense blotch. ISA SMITH, cream; very smooth. JAMES SKINNER, dagger?? rich mulberry, fine eye; one of the best of its class. JANEY ANDERSON, white, large. JOHN DONALDSON, velvety-maroon. LEITH WALK BEAUTY, dark mulberry. MRS. DOBBIE, white, smooth. MRS. GOODALL, white, dense blotch. MRS. TOM SMITH, dagger?? pure white, large; fine for competition. PARAGON, dagger?? rich yellow, fine blotch; extra. PILRIG GEM, maroon. PRIMROSE GEM, dagger?? primrose, dense solid blotch, fine eye; distinct and constant. ROBERT BLACK, black; extra. W. J. CLARK, white, solid blotch; good substance. Class II. White Grounds. DEVONIA, purple belt. JANE GRIEVE, purple belt; extra fine. JESSIE FOOTE, purple belt. JOHN CLARK, dark purple blotch and belt; fine exhibition flower. LIZZIE DONALDSON, dagger?? large, white circular field, fine dark purple belt; extra fine. M. H. MILLER, violet-purple belt, solid blotch; fine. MISS KATE SUTHERLAND, dark purple belt; fine show flower. MRS. A. PEEBLES, violet-purple belt, large; of fine form. MRS. GLADSTONE, rich purple belt; fine form. MRS. J. BUSH, dagger?? white, solid purple belt; fine form and substance. MRS. R. LAIDLAW, purple belt. MRS. TODD, cream, dark purple belt. N. H. POWNALL, purple belt; extra. THE MEDE, broad purple belt. Class III. Yellow Grounds. ALEX. SMITH, dagger?? medium shade of yellow, dark purple belt; good form and substance. CHANCELLOR, gold, maroon belt. DR. ROBERTSON, yellow, maroon belt. ELLA MURRAY, yellow, bronze belt. JAMES COOK, golden-yellow ground, yellow-ruby belt; extra. J. B. DOWNIE, bronze belt. LORD F. CAVENDISH, deep golden-yellow ground, rich bronzy-purple margins; flowers very large. MARY M'COMB, maroon belt. PILRIG KING, mulberry blotch, reddish-bronze belt; fine. R. DONALDSON, maroon belt; fine. ROBERT BURNS, lemon, chocolate belt; large, constant. T. M'COMB, purple belt; large. PAPAVER (the old Latin name, used by Pliny, &c.). Poppy. ORD. Papaveraceae. A genus comprising about fourteen species of hardy or half-hardy, hispid or glaucous, annual or perennial herbs, with milky juice; one is South African, another extra-tropical Australian, and the rest are found in the temperate or sub-tropical regions of Asia, North Africa, and Europe; four are truly natives of Britain, and a fifth--the Opium Poppy--is naturalised here and there. Flowers red, violet, yellow, or white, showy; sepals two, rarely three; petals four, rarely six; stamens many; peduncles elongated; flower-buds nodding. Leaves usually lobed or dissected. The cultivation of this genus is very simple, the most suitable soil being a sandy loam. The species and varieties are admirable subjects for borders, and for naturalising in woody spots. Propagation is freely effected by seeds, or by divisions. All the plants described below are hardy.

P. alpinum (alpine).* fl. yellow, rose-tinted, or white; sepals covered with long, adpressed hairs. Summer. l. hispid or glabrous, once or twice pinnatisect, with narrow, sub-linear or elliptic lobes; hairs spreading or adpressed. h. 6in. From a botanical point of view, this and P. nudicaule are really but one species; in cultivation, however, P. alpinum is a dwarfer, more slender plant, and has, generally, citron-yellow flowers. P. bracteatum (bracteate).* fl. red, bracteate; sepals scabrous. May. l. or bracts pinnati-partite, hispid; lobes oblong, serrated, deeply incised. h. 4ft. Caucasus, 1817. Strictly speaking, this is only a marked variety of P. orientale. See Fig. 27. (B. M. 658; L. C. B. 23.) P. Hookeri (Hooker's).* fl. varying from pale rose to crimson-scarlet, with a diffused white or blue-black blotch at the base; stigmatic rays twelve to twenty. Autumn. India, 1884. An ornamental plant, resembling P. Rhaeas in general aspect, but forming a large bushy herb 3ft. to 4ft. high. (B. M. 6729.) P. horridum (horrid). fl. brick or red-colour; sepals hispid. July. l. sub-amplexicaul, glaucous, sinuato-pinnatifid, the lobules prickly at the apices and on the nerves. Stem few-flowered, with rigid prickles, very hispid. h. 2ft. Australia and South Africa, 1825. (S. B. F. G. 173; B. M. 3623, under name of P. gariepinum.) P. lateritium (brick-red). fl. bright orange, about 2in. across, withobovate petals, and sepals covered on the back with long yellow hairs. May. l. linear-elliptical, pinnatifid at the base; those of the root densely crowded together, 6in. to 12in. long, and 1/2in. or more broad; the lower segments much divided, the upper ones few and coarsely serrated; stem leaves much smaller and nearly sessile. h. 1 1/2ft. to 2ft. Armenia. P. nudicaule (naked-stemmed).* fl. bright orange, yellow, or white, large and very showy, with nearly orbicular petals, and rather pilose sepals. Summer. l. pinnate, glaucous; segments finely cut into acute lobes. h. 9in. to 18in. Mountains of Northern hemisphere, 1759. A beautiful alpine perennial. (S. B. F. G. 247.) P. n. croceum (golden). fl. orange-yellow or saffron, large and showy, with the petals slightly waved at the margin. Summer. l. erect, glaucous underneath, delicate green on the upper side, rough, with spreading hairs. h. 8in. to 15in. Siberia, 1829. A pretty perennial, resembling Meconopsis cambrica in habit. (B. M. 2344, under name of P. croceum.) P. orientale (Eastern).* fl. deep scarlet, usually with a dark purple spot at the base of each petal, 6in. or more across; sepals three. Early summer. l. pinnate, about 1ft. long, clothed with white bristly hairs. Stem rough and leafy. h. 2ft. to 3ft. Armenia, 1714. A well-known plant, and one of the showiest of hardy perennials. (B. M. 57.) There are several more or less distinct varieties, including concolor, which has no spots at the base of the petals; and triumphans, a very floriferous and dwarfer habited form. P. pavonium (peacock-like). fl. scarlet, with a black horseshoe-shaped blotch at the base of each petal; ovary and capsule setose. Summer. l. rather small, bipinnatifid. Central Asia, 1883. (R. G. 1095, f. 3-4.) P. persicum (Persian). fl. brick-red; sepals setose. June. l. pinnatifid, setose; segments almost undivided, often aristate. Stems leafy, paniculate. h. 1 1/2ft. Persia, 1830. (B. R. 1570.) P. pilosum (pilose).* fl. pale lurid scarlet, or intense orange, with a white mark at the bottom of each petal. Stem many-flowered, with spreading hairs. Summer. l. stem-clasping, cut, pilose on both surfaces. h. 1ft. to 2ft. Bithynia and Mount Olympus. Plant about the size of P. somniferum, but pale green, not glaucous. A very showy perennial. (B. M. 4749, under name of P. nudicaule.) P. Rhaeas (common field).* Common Corn Poppy, Redweed, Wind Rose, &c. fl. brilliant scarlet, large. Stem many-flowered, scabrous, with spreading bristles. Summer. l. pinnate-parted, the lobes elongated and deeply toothed, acute. h. 1ft. Europe (Britain), North Africa, West Asia. (Sy. En. B. 58.) This well-known annual has produced innumerable varieties under cultivation, both double (see Fig. 28) and single. The garden strains, respectively known as the Carnation, Picotee, and Ranunculus-flowered Poppies, are double forms of this species.

P. R. umbrosum (shaded).* fl. of a dazzling scarlet, with a jet-black blotch on the inner base of each petal, which is sometimes margined with ashy-grey; scapes long, one-flowered. Summer. h. 2ft. Caucasus, 1877. (G. C. n. s., xxii. 49.) P. setigerum (bristly). fl. violet; capsule obovate, not stipitate. Summer. A near ally of the Opium Poppy, but differing from it in having the teeth of the leaves terminating in a stiff bristle, and in the simple or slightly branched stem ending in two or three elongated peduncles, which, as well as the leaves, are hairy. h. 1ft. to 2ft. Europe, Asia. (S. B. F. G. 172.) Of this Poppy, numerous fine strains have originated in gardens.

P. somniferum (sleep-causing).* Opium Poppy. fl. variously coloured, white, rose, lilac, violet, often striped, and usually with a darker spot at the base of the petals, the latter fringed in some varieties. Stem many-flowered, smooth. July. l. oblong-am-plexicaul, sinuate, glaucous, broad, waved, lobed, cordate at the base. h. 3ft. to 4ft. Europe, Asia, West Africa, India, and naturalised in many parts of this country. Annual. (B. M. Pl. 18). Opium is the inspissated milky juice of this species, obtained by making incisions in the capsule. The seeds are destitute of narcotic quality, and may be eaten; they are sold as birds' food, under the name of Maw Seed. The name paeoniae-florum is given in gardens to a select strain of this species with very double, Paeony-like flowers. What is grown in gardens under the name of Danebrog Poppy (see Fig. 29), is also a strain of this species. P. Murselli is another garden strain, with double flowers and fringed petals (see Fig. 30).