Pansy Colossus Purple Blotch Seedling Tray

For best results with Colossus Purple Blotch, plant one seedling plug per 1801 cell or 4-inch container, two or three per 6-inch container, or five to six per 10-inch basket. Use well-drained, rich soil with a pH of 5.5-5.9, an EC of 0.9-1.3 mS/cm (SME) or 1.4-2.0 mS/cm (PourThru), and light feed (75-125 ppm N). Provide temperatures of 64-66 day and night and daylight extension to 14 hours at 4,000-6,000 fc. This plant doesn't require pinching. When grown in cool temperatures with plenty of light, it doesn't require PGRs. In warm or dark conditions, prevent stretching with a spray of B-Nine. Watch for aphids, thrips, alternaria, downy mildew, thielaviopsis, cercospora, and botrytis.

Dark purple blotched flowers bloom from spring through fall.

This plant doesn't require pinching.

Space containers for adequate airflow and sunlight penetration around the base and foliage of each plant. We recommend spacing 4- or 10-inch containers 6-8" apart. Grow cellpacks in full sun and allow soil to dry between waterings.

This plant doesn't require PGRs when grown in ideal temperature and light conditions. However, in warm or dark conditions, use a spray of B-Nine at 2,500-5,000 ppm.

Scout for aphids and thrips as part of your commercial greenhouse's Integrated Pest Management plan. The best defense against pest infestations is prevention. 

Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that cause damage by sucking sap from plant tissue. They reproduce quickly and are particularly attracted to young growth. Curling and yellowed leaves, stunted growth, and stickiness on leaves are signs of an infestation. These insects also spread diseases and reproduce rapidly. Use biological controls or horticultural oils to discourage and kill aphids.

Thrips are tiny insects that eat plant tissue and can transmit viruses. Watch for silvery-white streaks or black spots on foliage and distorted growth. Use natural predators (like predatory mites), insecticidal soap, neem oil, and sticky traps to control infestations and prevent spread.

Watch for signs of Alternaria, Downy Mildew, Thielaviopsis, Cercospora, and Botrytis. Implement preventative measures in your commercial greenhouse, including watering at the base of each plant, allowing the soil to dry slightly between watering, providing good airflow, spacing containers so sunlight and air can reach the soil level of each plant, and sanitizing surfaces and equipment. 

Alternaria is a fungal disease that causes foliage yellowing, browning, and necrosis, leading to defoliation. Sanitize surfaces, remove infected plants and debris and use clean planting media. Copper-based fungicides or those with active ingredients azoxystrobin, mancozeb, or chlorothalonil are effective against alternaria. Prevent infection by watering at the base of each plant, providing good ventilation, spacing plants appropriately, and controlling humidity levels in the greenhouse. Some plant varieties are resistant to this disease. 

Botrytis is a common fungal disease that causes brown spots on stems, leaves, and flowers. Remove and destroy affected plants, maintain appropriate humidity levels, and apply fungicides with boscalid, fenhexamid, or iprodione to control the spread. Water plants in the morning and allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings.

Downy Mildew is a disease caused by Peronospora sparsa, a fungus-like organism that causes white or gray growth on foliage undersides and yellowing of the leaf surface. Use proper sanitization, ventilation, and humidity control. Remove infected plants and debris to control the spread. Don't use overhead irrigation, and apply a fungicide if needed. Azoxystrobin, chlorothalonil, mancozeb, and fenamidone are effective in a rotation against a severe outbreak of Downy Mildew.

Thielaviopsis is a disease caused by the soil-borne fungus Thielaviopsis basicola. It causes dark brown or black lesions on roots, stunts plant growth and causes foliage to wilt. Sanitize equipment and use clean growing media to prevent the spread. Remove and destroy infected plants and use well-drained soil, allowing plants to dry slightly between waterings. Maintain a pH below 5.8 to reduce infections. You may use a fungicide as part of an Integrated Pest Management plan for severe outbreaks.

Cercospora is a fungal disease that causes circular or angular spots on foliage. Use proper sanitization, watering, and circulation, and remove infected plants. You may use a fungicide depending on the severity of the outbreak.

We recommend planting one seedling plug per 1801 cell or 4-inch container, two or three per 6-inch container, and five or six per 10-inch basket. Use well-drained soil and completely bury the ellepot centered or evenly spaced in the container. Cellpacks finish in 4-7 weeks and 6-inch containers in 6-8 weeks.