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It has been a long winter with record rain and cold weather but most pansies have survived and are now blooming very well. Despite the extended wet periods our maintenance has lessened disease problems. We saw even more disease than last year and treated with control measures more than we historically have. As we have promoted, our program is intensive and may cost a little bit more but it is well worth it. We do what it takes to ensure our customers' pansies survive and thrive. Year after year we see other contractors' flowers struggle and sometimes die while ours thrive.
Although our annual additional of potting soil and fungicide treatment has been relatively effective, we are seeing increasing disease pressure the longer an area has been planted with pansies. We are now proposing that potting soil be removed every few years to start with fresh soil throughout the root zone instead of just the soil surface. This has proved to greatly reduce disease problems and the need for frequent fungicide treatments. You will likely see this proposed in the future.
SUMMER COLOR ON THE WAY
Although pansies are at their peak color display, we are beginning our summer flower plantings. Due to the cool spring, we have delayed this schedule a bit compared to normal years. Summer flower planting is always an exciting signal that summer is forthcoming and we are again excited to produce new and unique color combinations. Seasonal color is an area where we shine as our color combinations are always creative and our maintenance program ensures peak health and color.
We work with our grower, Cherie Sigmund of Cedar Glen Greenhouses to custom grow our unique combinations. We are excited to begin and see our 2017 displays develop as summer arrives. We will again try some experimental planting schemes in our test bed at our office to continue to look for new and unique combinations.
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