Pansies 2023

[Pulsegleaner]

Hello all (in this case especially @heirloomgal)

Okay, I got the first six pack of pansies for the year. Not super exciting (this pattern is actually sort of common in the "Frizzle Sizzle" line.) but the effect it nice.
and yes @heirloomgal, I did INDEED see most to all of the ones you mentioned today. There were morpho blues in the front (I think) and while I didn't see Jolly Joker itself, I did see full size pansies with the Jolly Joker color pattern.

As yet, no real surprises. The DID have the pink violas like last year, but this time, I didn't see any that had had the gene flip that turns the flowers from pink to deep red-purple (the one that, if I can ever get enough seed and stabilize it, I want to call Wine Dark Seas.

Didn't see any "White Cats" either yet (my name for all white full size pansies with purple "whiskers" on them. Or "X-rays" (dark blues with a black blotch and a middle blue aura around the blotch*) But, as I said it is early.

* For one year, I had a dark purple and black version of an X-ray with a red "halo" I thought I could turn into a type I was going to call "Dark Galaxy", but, like so many times before, it made no seeds (or, it did, but none of them germinated).

 

[heirloomgal]

Oooh, I like the name 'Wine Dark Seas'. Evocative.

So, do you think that pansy seeds by nature do not come true? In light of our pansy topic, I went peeking at Baker Creek and was shocked to see some of the pansies they offer. A green variety! There was another blue one with yellow highlights called Miniola Heart Aqua. A real beauty. I wonder if I bought some of those and saved seeds, if they'd come true!? That Antique Laeta was so pretty too. Gosh, pansies are floral gems.

 

[Pulsegleaner]

Green? Oh, you mean "Envy"! Yeah, that is sort of greenish (with my eye for color separation, I tends to see it as yellow with a black/purple overlay.)

If you have been there, you also saw what I said about that black veined effect not being all that uncommon.

Actually, I bought a pack of Devil black seeds from them earlier this year, should probably put them in if I can find it (another think I like about pansies, they're one of the few flowers where finding visually black examples is sort of EASY.)

And yes, I think that pansy seeds tend to be genetically volatile enough you can't rely on them coming true. Maybe if you selected carefully over many generations you could get them to settle down, but I wouldn't count on it.

For the smaller ones, there also seems to be a tendency to try and get back to their wild colors (purple top, yellow bottom with black whiskers/or light purple top medium purple bottom, depending on whether there is more tricolor or cornuta in their background). Sort of like how I believe that, if you leave a group of morning glories alone to pollinate and re-seed themselves long enough, no matter what colors and patterns you started with, they eventually go back to their wild colors, white, pale blue and pink, which is why that's what you tend to see wherever they have jumped captivity for a while. (though deep magenta seems to have some strong staying power as well)

 

[digitS']

I think we should put PulseGleaner in charge of color descriptions and the naming of varieties.

Quite a contrast after looking at those tomato plant tags for @heirloomgal 's new selections. I won't go into my attempts to sound out some of those names and misreading some. Just mention one ~ "Una Heartattack?!" Vegetables for the kitchen table?

My poor color vision was certainly a disability for someone working in the floral industry. I was entirely dependent on others for their clear-sightedness. That comprehension leads to artistry, ya know. Lack of it ... well, I can park closer if it's allowed.

Steve

 

[Pulsegleaner]

I think we should put PulseGleaner in charge of color descriptions and the naming of varieties.

Fine, then make "Landmaster" the official name for that over vigorous African red cowpea from a few years ago, and "Ugandan Discussion" official for @seakangaroo's multicolored sport bean (assuming anyone knows where he got to).

And it's not like ALL my names are elegant. Remember, if I ever manage to get that fuzzy skinned black tomato working, I'm planning to name it after my former cat and call it "Cassia's Hairball"! (I'd switch it over to my current cat, since he is even darker (functionally black) but, interestingly, in the years we have had him so far, I have never seen him cough up a hairball or find one lying around.)

 

[Pulsegleaner]

Did a little searching around Etsy to see what was out there.

Looks like the pattern I was calling "X-Ray" others are calling "Karma". Since it is basically an aura, I guess that name makes sense. Probably going to be a "Kirlian" somewhere in there as well eventually.
This too, for an odd color mix

In a pinch (if I can't find any plants) I MAY have found seeds for a red viola (something called Ruby Arkwright) Some halfway decent black ones as well.

 

[Branching Out]

I am so impressed that you are looking towards selecting for new varieties of pansies Pulsegleaner. For my part, I am still trying to learn how to get the darn things to grow!! From my limited experience they can be VERY tricky to germinate.

 

[Phaedra]

I am so impressed that you are looking towards selecting for new varieties of pansies Pulsegleaner. For my part, I am still trying to learn how to get the darn things to grow!! From my limited experience they can be VERY tricky to germinate.

My ones germinate and grow well, but the tender young plants are almost the favorite targets of aphids. As they are hardy enough for spring weather, I have to plant them out as soon as possible.

 

[ducks4you]

Too late to start seeds...maybe in the fall?

When Should You Plant Pansies Outdoors - What Is The Best Time To Plant Pansies

Pansies are popular winter annuals that stay bright and blooming even in snowy, cold elements. In order to help them thrive through the worst of winter conditions, it?s critical to stick to a specific pansy planting time. This article aims to help with that.

www.gardeningknowhow.com

 

[Branching Out]

Timing is everything with pansies. In our area starting them in July or August, and getting them in the ground by September seems to be key. October transplants were weak and are only starting to bulk up now, but those set out one month earlier were robust from the start.

They have got to be one of the most charming spring blooms though. I just love them.