The Ohio State University Learning Gardens
Pansy/Viola Cultivar Trial 2003 - 04
Part I

Monica Kmetz-González and Dr. Claudio Pasian
OSU Department of Horticulture & Crop Science

Tables with results are presented below.

This is the fourth year we have conducted our Fall Pansy and Viola Trials. Plants were transplanted outside in the Fall, and evaluated throughout the Winter and Spring. This year, we left the plants in-ground through July, to assess heat tolerance.

Trial Site Location:
The in-ground trial site is adjacent to our Departmental buildings on the Columbus campus. The area receives full shade most of the morning, followed by approximately 8 hours of full sun. The area was rototilled on 9/15 just prior to planting.

Plant Material:
Seed from participating breeders and distributors was grown on once again for us this year by Mr. Bob Barnitz of Bob's Market & Greenhouse, Mason, WV. There were 33 Pansy entries and 17 Violas, bringing the total number of cultivars evaluated to 50.

Procedure:
Plants were received in our greenhouses on 9/23 in 2 ¼" cell paks. A Plantshield drench (@ full rate 5 oz/100 gal) was applied on the same day. Twelve plants per cultivar were transplanted in-ground on 9/26. Spacing was 10" between plants within a cultivar, 14" between cultivars, and 20" between main rows. Post-planting fertilization occurred on 10/7 with 200 ppm N 20-10-20 via Dosatron.

Weather Conditions:
The initial planting period was cool with some rain. Early light frosts occurred in the surrounding areas from 9/28 thru 10/4, but the trial site itself was unaffected. Warmer weather came back on 10/5, with 70F days and 50F nights, which kicked the plants into gear. The rest of October showed average temperatures, and from 11/2 - 11/5, unseasonably warm 70F days returned again. The first hard freeze in the area occurred on 11/9. Some warmer temps again followed. Overall mild temperatures occurred through the beginning of January, and on January 5, plants were noted to be blooming and "looking good". Cold temperatures then followed in mid-January with daytime highs in the 20F's, and night temps down to 9F. The rest of the winter provided good cold temperature conditions for overwinter assessment. March through the beginning of April were cooler than average. Frosts occurred through the beginning of May.

Evaluations and Results:
 Evaluations were performed in both Fall and Spring.
Plant Characteristics were evaluated in depth by our Trials group. Ratings were based on a 1- 5 scale (1 = Not Acceptable, 5 = Exceptional). The following characteristics were evaluated:

  • Flower Quality: Aesthetics, color, health, and appearance
  • Flower Number: 1 = Low, 5 = Very floriferous
  • Foliage: Vegetative vigor, aesthetics/color, health, and appearance
  • Vigor/Overwintering: 1 = poor; 5 = Overwintered very well; excellent vigor (for Spring rating only)
  • Overall: Overall rating for the group, taking all the above criteria into consideration.

Results can be found in the following tables:

Plant Characteristic Evaluations:

    FALL - performed 10/29/03
                 Pansy: Table 1
                 Viola: Table 2

    SPRING - performed 5/6/04
                     Pansy: Table 3
                     Viola: Table 4

Other Evaluations:

    A post-winter rating was conducted by the Trials Coordinator on 4/8/04. A Heat-tolerance Evaluation was conducted by the Trials Coordinator on 7/13/04. We will present additional results at a later time.

Result of these evaluations will be presented in the near future.

TOP PERFORMERS:

FALL EVALUATION
     Pansies: Nature Ocean, Nature Blue, Dynamite Lavander
     Violas: Gem Antique Lavender, Sorbet Beaconsfield, Gem Rose w/Blotch, Gem Pink Shades

SPRING EVALUATION
     Pansies: Nature Blue, Ultima Morpho, Nature Yellow, Dynamite Lavender
     Violas: Gem Yellow, Sorbet Blacberry Cream, Sorbet Beaconsfield, Sorbet Plum Velvet, Penny Violet Flare

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:
 We would like to acknowledge our dedicated team of Master Gardeners who helped in all phases of this trial. Thanks to David Snodgrass, Greenhouse Supervisor, and Annette Duetz, Learning Gardens Supervisor, for their assistance. We thank Mr. Bob Barnitz of Bob's Market & Greenhouse for seeding and growing on the transplants. Bioworks for donating "PlantShield'. And we thank the following companies for being sponsors of this year's trial:

Photos:
Individual cultivar photos can be accessed by clicking on the cultivar name in the results tables. In addition, here are some overviews of the trial site:

Photo 1, Photo 2,