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New page: {{Plantbox | name = Pansy | image = Viola x wittrockiana omega F1 blanc pur dsc00972.jpg | image_width = 250px | image_caption = | regnum = Plantae | Phylum = Magnoliophyta | classis = Ma...
{{Plantbox
| name = Pansy
| image = Viola x wittrockiana omega F1 blanc pur dsc00972.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| image_caption =
| regnum = Plantae
| Phylum = Magnoliophyta
| classis = Magnoliopsida
| ordo = Violales
| familia = Violaceae
| genus = Viola
| species = tricolor
| subspecies = hortensis
| trinomial = ''Viola tricolor hortensis''
| subdivision_ranks = Hybrids
| subdivision =
}}
The '''pansy''' or '''pansy violets''' are a large group of plants cultivated as garden [[flower]]s. Pansies are derived from ''[[Viola (plant)|Viola]]'' species ''[[Viola tricolor]]'' and they often include [[Hybrid (biology)|hybrid]]s with other viola species, these hybrids are referred to as ''Viola × wittrockiana'' or less commonly ''Viola tricolor hortensis''. The name "pansy" also appears as part of the common name for other'' Viola'' species that are [[wildflower]]s in Europe. Some unrelated species, such as the [[Mimulus|Pansy Monkeyflower]], also have "pansy" in their name.
==Cultivation, breeding and life cycle==
[[Image:Pansy2005.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A pansy flower]]
Pansy breeding has produced a wide range of flower colors including yellow, gold, orange, purple, violet, red, white, and even black (dark purple) many with large showy face markings. A large number of bicoloured flowers have also been produced. They are generally very cold [[Hardiness (plants)|hardy plant]]s surviving freezing even during their blooming period. Plants grow well in sunny or partially sunny positions in well draining soils. Pansies are developed from ''viola'' species that are normally [[Biennial plant|biennials]] with a two-year life cycle. The first year plant produce [[Leaf|greenery]] and then bear [[flower]]s and [[seed]]s their second year of growth and afterwards die like [[Annual plant|annuals]]. Because of selective human breeding, most garden pansies bloom the first year, some in as little as nine weeks after sowing.
Most biennials are purchased as packs of young plants from the [[garden centre]] and planted directly into the garden [[soil]]. Under favourable conditions, pansies and viola can often be grown as [[perennial plant]]s, but are generally treated as [[annual plant|annual]]s or [[biennial plant]]s because after a few years of growth the stems become long and scraggly. Plants grow up to nine inches (23 cm) tall, and the flowers are two to three inches (about 6 cm) in diameter, though there are some smaller and larger flowering [[cultivar]]s available too.
Pansies are winter hardy in [[USDA plant hardiness zone|zones 4-8]]. They can survive light freezes and short periods of snow cover, in areas with prolonged snow cover they survive best with a covering of a dry winter mulch. In warmer climates, [[USDA plant hardiness zone|zones 9-11]], pansies can bloom over the winter, and are often planted in the fall. In these climates, pansies have been known to reseed themselves and come back the next year. Pansies are not very heat-tolerant; they are best used as a cool season planting, warm temperatures inhibit blooming and hot muggy air causes rot and death. In colder zones, pansies may not persist without snow cover or protection (mulch) from the extreme cold.
Pansies should be watered thoroughly about once a week, depending on climate and rainfall. To maximize blooming, plant food should be used about every other week, according to the plant food directions. Regular deadheading can extend the blooming period.
==Anatomy==
[[Image:Panviola2.jpg|thumb|right|250px|]]
The pansy has two top [[petal]]s overlapping slightly, two side petals, beards where the three lower petals join the center of the flower, and a single bottom petal with a slight indentation.
==Diseases==
{{howto|section|date=April 2008}}
===Stem rot===
Stem rot, also known as pansy sickness, is a soil-borne [[fungus]] and a possible hazard with unsterilized animal [[manure]]. The plant may collapse without warning in the middle of the season. The foliage will flag and lose color. Flowers will fade and shrivel prematurely. Stem will snap at the soil line if tugged slightly. The plant is probably a total loss unless tufted. The treatment of stem rot, includes the use of [[fungicide]]s such as [[Cheshunt]] or [[Benomyl]] , which are used prior to planting. Infected plants are destroyed (burned) to prevent the spread of the pathogen to other plants.
===Watering===
The plant should be watered every other day, and watering should never be missed for more than three days. '''The plant should ''never'' be over watered.'''
===Leaf spot===
Leaf spot (''Ramularia deflectens'') is a [[Fungus|fungal infection]]. Symptoms include dark spots on leaf margins followed by a white web covering the leaves. It is associated with cool damp springs.
===Mildew===
[[Mildew]] (''Oidium'') is a fungal infection. Symptoms include violet-gray powder on fringes and underside of leaves. It is caused by stagnant air and can be limited but not necessarily eliminated by spraying (especially leaf undersides).
===Cucumber mosaic virus===
The [[cucumber mosaic virus]] is transmitted by [[aphid]]s. Pansies with the virus have fine yellow veining on young leaves, stunted growth and anomalous flowers. The virus can lay dormant, affect the entire plant and be passed to next generations and to other species. Prevention is key: purchases should consist entirely of healthy plants, and [[pH]]-balanced soil should be used which is neither too damp nor too dry. The soil should have balanced amounts of [[nitrogen]], [[phosphate]] and [[potash]]. Other diseases which may weaken the plant should be eliminated.
==Pests==
===Slugs and snails===
To ward off [[slug]]s and [[snail]]s, sharp, gritty sand can be laid, or the soil can be top-dressed with chipped bark. The area should be kept clean of leaves and foreign matter, etc. [[Beer]] in little bowls buried to the rims in the flower beds will also keep slugs and snails at bay.
===Aphids===
To combat [[aphid]]s, which spread the cucumber mosaic virus, the treatment is to spray with diluted soft soap (2 ounces per gallon).
==Cultivars==
The Universal Plus series of 21 cultivars covers all the common pansy colours except orange and black.
<gallery>
Image:Pansy Viola x wittrockiana 'Delta Pure Deep Orange' Flower 1534px.jpg|'Delta Pure Deep Orange' Orange cultivar
Image:Pansy Viola x wittrockiana 'Delta Premium Pure White' Flower 1970px.jpg|'Delta Premium Pure White' White cultivar
Image:Viola wittrockiana Delta Pure Yellow.jpg|'Delta Pure Yellow' Yellow cultivar
Image:Viola wittrockiana Delta Light Blue.jpg|'Delta Light Blue' Light blue cultivar
Image:Viola x wittrockiana alpha F1 bleu ciel pur dsc00947.jpg|Blue cultivar
Image:Red_pansy.jpg|Solid red cultivar
Image:Pansy Viola x wittrockiana Purple Cultivar Flowers 2081px.jpg|Purple cultivar
Image:Pansy Viola tricolor Flower 2448px.jpg|Purple and white cultivar
</gallery>
==External links==
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pansy
* [http://www.pansyflowers.com PansyFlowers.com] – pictures and information about pansies
==References==
{{reflist}}
| name = Pansy
| image = Viola x wittrockiana omega F1 blanc pur dsc00972.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| image_caption =
| regnum = Plantae
| Phylum = Magnoliophyta
| classis = Magnoliopsida
| ordo = Violales
| familia = Violaceae
| genus = Viola
| species = tricolor
| subspecies = hortensis
| trinomial = ''Viola tricolor hortensis''
| subdivision_ranks = Hybrids
| subdivision =
}}
The '''pansy''' or '''pansy violets''' are a large group of plants cultivated as garden [[flower]]s. Pansies are derived from ''[[Viola (plant)|Viola]]'' species ''[[Viola tricolor]]'' and they often include [[Hybrid (biology)|hybrid]]s with other viola species, these hybrids are referred to as ''Viola × wittrockiana'' or less commonly ''Viola tricolor hortensis''. The name "pansy" also appears as part of the common name for other'' Viola'' species that are [[wildflower]]s in Europe. Some unrelated species, such as the [[Mimulus|Pansy Monkeyflower]], also have "pansy" in their name.
==Cultivation, breeding and life cycle==
[[Image:Pansy2005.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A pansy flower]]
Pansy breeding has produced a wide range of flower colors including yellow, gold, orange, purple, violet, red, white, and even black (dark purple) many with large showy face markings. A large number of bicoloured flowers have also been produced. They are generally very cold [[Hardiness (plants)|hardy plant]]s surviving freezing even during their blooming period. Plants grow well in sunny or partially sunny positions in well draining soils. Pansies are developed from ''viola'' species that are normally [[Biennial plant|biennials]] with a two-year life cycle. The first year plant produce [[Leaf|greenery]] and then bear [[flower]]s and [[seed]]s their second year of growth and afterwards die like [[Annual plant|annuals]]. Because of selective human breeding, most garden pansies bloom the first year, some in as little as nine weeks after sowing.
Most biennials are purchased as packs of young plants from the [[garden centre]] and planted directly into the garden [[soil]]. Under favourable conditions, pansies and viola can often be grown as [[perennial plant]]s, but are generally treated as [[annual plant|annual]]s or [[biennial plant]]s because after a few years of growth the stems become long and scraggly. Plants grow up to nine inches (23 cm) tall, and the flowers are two to three inches (about 6 cm) in diameter, though there are some smaller and larger flowering [[cultivar]]s available too.
Pansies are winter hardy in [[USDA plant hardiness zone|zones 4-8]]. They can survive light freezes and short periods of snow cover, in areas with prolonged snow cover they survive best with a covering of a dry winter mulch. In warmer climates, [[USDA plant hardiness zone|zones 9-11]], pansies can bloom over the winter, and are often planted in the fall. In these climates, pansies have been known to reseed themselves and come back the next year. Pansies are not very heat-tolerant; they are best used as a cool season planting, warm temperatures inhibit blooming and hot muggy air causes rot and death. In colder zones, pansies may not persist without snow cover or protection (mulch) from the extreme cold.
Pansies should be watered thoroughly about once a week, depending on climate and rainfall. To maximize blooming, plant food should be used about every other week, according to the plant food directions. Regular deadheading can extend the blooming period.
==Anatomy==
[[Image:Panviola2.jpg|thumb|right|250px|]]
The pansy has two top [[petal]]s overlapping slightly, two side petals, beards where the three lower petals join the center of the flower, and a single bottom petal with a slight indentation.
==Diseases==
{{howto|section|date=April 2008}}
===Stem rot===
Stem rot, also known as pansy sickness, is a soil-borne [[fungus]] and a possible hazard with unsterilized animal [[manure]]. The plant may collapse without warning in the middle of the season. The foliage will flag and lose color. Flowers will fade and shrivel prematurely. Stem will snap at the soil line if tugged slightly. The plant is probably a total loss unless tufted. The treatment of stem rot, includes the use of [[fungicide]]s such as [[Cheshunt]] or [[Benomyl]] , which are used prior to planting. Infected plants are destroyed (burned) to prevent the spread of the pathogen to other plants.
===Watering===
The plant should be watered every other day, and watering should never be missed for more than three days. '''The plant should ''never'' be over watered.'''
===Leaf spot===
Leaf spot (''Ramularia deflectens'') is a [[Fungus|fungal infection]]. Symptoms include dark spots on leaf margins followed by a white web covering the leaves. It is associated with cool damp springs.
===Mildew===
[[Mildew]] (''Oidium'') is a fungal infection. Symptoms include violet-gray powder on fringes and underside of leaves. It is caused by stagnant air and can be limited but not necessarily eliminated by spraying (especially leaf undersides).
===Cucumber mosaic virus===
The [[cucumber mosaic virus]] is transmitted by [[aphid]]s. Pansies with the virus have fine yellow veining on young leaves, stunted growth and anomalous flowers. The virus can lay dormant, affect the entire plant and be passed to next generations and to other species. Prevention is key: purchases should consist entirely of healthy plants, and [[pH]]-balanced soil should be used which is neither too damp nor too dry. The soil should have balanced amounts of [[nitrogen]], [[phosphate]] and [[potash]]. Other diseases which may weaken the plant should be eliminated.
==Pests==
===Slugs and snails===
To ward off [[slug]]s and [[snail]]s, sharp, gritty sand can be laid, or the soil can be top-dressed with chipped bark. The area should be kept clean of leaves and foreign matter, etc. [[Beer]] in little bowls buried to the rims in the flower beds will also keep slugs and snails at bay.
===Aphids===
To combat [[aphid]]s, which spread the cucumber mosaic virus, the treatment is to spray with diluted soft soap (2 ounces per gallon).
==Cultivars==
The Universal Plus series of 21 cultivars covers all the common pansy colours except orange and black.
<gallery>
Image:Pansy Viola x wittrockiana 'Delta Pure Deep Orange' Flower 1534px.jpg|'Delta Pure Deep Orange' Orange cultivar
Image:Pansy Viola x wittrockiana 'Delta Premium Pure White' Flower 1970px.jpg|'Delta Premium Pure White' White cultivar
Image:Viola wittrockiana Delta Pure Yellow.jpg|'Delta Pure Yellow' Yellow cultivar
Image:Viola wittrockiana Delta Light Blue.jpg|'Delta Light Blue' Light blue cultivar
Image:Viola x wittrockiana alpha F1 bleu ciel pur dsc00947.jpg|Blue cultivar
Image:Red_pansy.jpg|Solid red cultivar
Image:Pansy Viola x wittrockiana Purple Cultivar Flowers 2081px.jpg|Purple cultivar
Image:Pansy Viola tricolor Flower 2448px.jpg|Purple and white cultivar
</gallery>
==External links==
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pansy
* [http://www.pansyflowers.com PansyFlowers.com] – pictures and information about pansies
==References==
{{reflist}}