Penny Mickey F1 Viola Seeds Item #A-761 | 25 Seeds | Price: $2.25 Qty: The Penny series boasts the vigor growers have now come to expect with hybrid violas. Larger than normal viola-sized blooms proliferate over lush green, compact foliage. Another series that is excellent for both spring and fall, the Penny violas have multiple uses for bedding, landscape and container sales. Violet w/white face. 25 Seeds per Package.

Flower Garden � Tips on Growing Viola From Seed

SPECIAL GERMINATION INSTRUCTIONS:

• Viola seeds are easy to germinate, however, Violas will do better with stratification, a process of subjecting seeds to moist/cold treatment to break the seeds dormancy.
• Indoors, sow seeds into moistened soil and place in the refrigerator or freezer for about 5 days. Seeds can then be germinated. Viola seed also requires darkness to germinate.
• Make sure seeds are planted at recommended depth of 1/8"."

Stage 1

Germination: 68�F (20�C)

• Light is not required for germination.
• A medium covering of coarse grade vermiculite is recommended to help maintain high humidity around the germinating seed for better germination performance.
• Proper germination takes 3 to 4 days.
• For optimal germination performance, maintain the plug media at �wet� moisture levels, i.e., the media is glistening, but water will not ooze out from the bottom of the tray and will penetrate only slightly from the top around the fingertip.
• Avoid germination temperatures above 70�F (21�C) to prevent seedling stretch.

Stage 2 (first leaves) timing: 10 days

• Maintain 95 to 97% relative humidity.
• Maintain an EC of 0.5 to 0.75 and a pH of 5.4 to 5.8.
• Temperature 65� to 70�F (18 to 21�C) days; 60�F (15�C) Nights.

Stage 3 timing: (true leaves) 14 days

• Maintain 95 to 97% relative humidity.
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• Beginning at Stage 3, reduce the moisture level in the media once the seedlings are established.
• Temperature 65�F (18�C) days; 60�F (15�C) nights.
• Maintain an EC and pH values can be at 1.0 and 5.6 to 5.8, respectively. A high pH (greater than 6.0) can induce boron deficiency and also encourages fungal black root rot, caused by Thielaviopsis sp.

Stage 4(plug finish) 7 days

• Plugs can be grown under wet/dry cycles to tone the seedlings and avoid soft growth.
• Maintain 95 to 97% relative humidity.
Stage 4: 60�F (15�C) days; 55�F (13�C) nights.
• Fertilize the seedlings twice a week with 50 ppm N from 14-0-14, alternating with a 20-10-20 type fertilizer for pH balance and supplying the required calcium. Increase the nitrogen concentration to 100 ppm after a week, and continue this program transplant.
• Maintain an EC and pH values can be at 1.0 and 5.6 to 5.8, respectively. A high pH (greater than 6.0) can induce boron deficiency and also encourages fungal black root rot, caused by Thielaviopsis sp.

USDA Hardiness Zone -First Frost Date- Last Frost Date

• Zone 1 -July 15th -June 15th
• Zone 2 -August 15th- May 15th
• Zone 3 -September 15th May 15th
• Zone 4 -September 15th May 15th
• Zone 5 -October 15th April 15th
• Zone 6 -October 15th April 15th
• Zone 7 -October 15th April 15th
• Zone 8 -November 15th March 15th
• Zone 9 -December 15th February 15th
• Zone 10 -December 15th January 31st (sometimes earlier)
• Zone 11 _No frost. No frost.

EC=Electrical Conductivity

• Plant injury resulting from excessive soluble salts may first occur as a mild chlorosis of the foliage, later progressing to a necrosis of leaf tips and margins. This type of injury is largely attributed to the mobility of soluble salts within the plant. As these salts are rapidly translocated throughout the plant, they accumulate at the leaf tips and margins. Once the salts reach a toxic level they cause the characteristic "burn" associated with excessive salts. For an accurate reading get an EC meter.
• Soil pH is a measurement of the number of Hydrogen ions present in the soil solution along with as the acidity of the soil. When the soil pH is too acidic the nutrients that are present in the soil become locked-up or unavailable (low pH) or alkaline (high pH).
• Correcting the pH has the same effect as applying fertilizer as it unlocks plant nutrients already present. In your garden some garden plants thrive in acidic soils while others prefer an alkaline soil. The acidity or alkalinity of soil is a measurement by pH (potential Hydrogen ions). pH is a way to measure the amount of lime (calcium) contained in your soil, and the type of soil that you have.

To Measure Soil pH

It is recommended that you use a relatively inexpensive, and follow the manufacturers instructions when testing the pH Level of your Gardens soil. To raise or lower the pH level in the soil either Limestone or Sulfur is utilized. Other materials will accomplish the same results; however the two that are listed are the most commonly used.

Limestone is added to the soil to raise the pH level because limestone is essentially calcium and calcium reacts with water in the soil to yield hydroxyl ions .. a process known as, hydrolysis = thus the pH level in the soil is raised.

Sulfur reacts with bacteria in the soil and produces sulfuric acid, which releases hydrogen ions thus causing the soil to become more acidic =the pH level is lowered.


Application Of Lime (To Raise Soil pH)

To increase your pH by 1.0 point and make your soil more alkaline.

• Add 4 ounces of hydrated lime per square yard in sandy soils
• Add 8 ounces of hydrated lime per square yard in loamy soils
• Add 12 ounces of hydrated lime per square yard in clay soils
• Add 25 ounces of hydrated lime per square yard in peaty soils
• The addition of ash, bone meal, or crushed oyster shells will also help to raise soil pH levels.

Application of Sulfur (To Lower Soil pH)

If your soil needs to be more acidic, sulfur will lower the pH if it is available.

To reduce the soil pH by 1.0 point

• Mix in 1.2 oz of ground rock sulfur per square yard if the soil is sandy
• Mix in 3.6 oz per square yard for all other soils.
• Composted leaves, wood chips, sawdust, leaf mold and peat moss, will also help to lower the soil pH.