Fall pansies are started during the heat of the summer and to avoid excessive growth, plant growth regulators are needed. While a little is good, too much can result in stunted growth.
Controlling fall pansy growth can be a challenge regarding high temperatures promoting plant growth resulting in stretched plants that are not optimal for shipment. There are a variety of non-chemical and chemical controls that growers can utilize to prevent plant growth. One chemical control that growers commonly use to control plant growth is PGRs. These chemicals can be applied in a variety of methods ranging from foliar spray applications to substrate drenches. One concern that growers should be aware of is species sensitivity. Certain species such as pansy and begonia should be closely monitored when applying PGRs due to their increased sensitivity compared to other floriculture species.
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