I want to seed pansies in container, is this cold too cold?

Hello,
I live in Acton, MA which is near Lowell or Lexington and I would like to start some pansies as I read in a encyclopedia of annuals that pansies prefer to be started from seed when the temp is around 50 Degrees, but it doesn't say whether that's an mean temperature---the average of any given day. So, will my seeds rot with temperatures in our area is as follows: 65-71 F. Degrees-Daytime & 50-55 F. Degrees-Night-time (sometimes a bit cooler at night, but definately no frosts). FYI: We are just inside the Zone 6a area. It is critical that these do well as they are being started for our Church's Harvest Fair in Mid-November, by which time the pansies will need to be kept under shelter. However, how cold does it need to be before the pansies need to be brought indoors; and do they do OK indoors once they are of good size with good light? Thanks, and I will put this message in Flowers as well to double the chances of getting an answer, but if anyone CAN ANSWER, the time we hope to start them is on Saturday when we have several people helping with the job. Thanks very much!

Sincere Peace,
Thor



This message was edited Oct 9, 2008 7:32 PM

Being that pansies are a cool season annual, I would think starting them as you described would work for you at this time.

Nurseries here are carrying them now, and they start them outdoors...and we've had temps in the high 80's and into the 90's recently.

We don't get snow where I am, but I've seen them grow just fine in the mountain areas here even with snow on them...but the snowfall in those areas is much different than what you get.

Try posting this inquiry in the Northeast Gardening Forum...many people over there are extremely knowledgeable and will be better able to answer your question more specifically for your area and climate.

Thanks, they were LOTS of help!
Peace!
Thor

Pansies are excellent cool weather flowers. I plant them on the north side of the house where they often get frost/ and snow mix in the fall. A light snow does not hurt them or asslyum. This is zone 4, last winter we were about zone 5 for weather, and many years reach zone 3. The smaller viola version reseeds itself all over, but it is easy to take out unwanted plants. The bright yellow pansies are gorgeous. Thanks, nitygrity

Hello NityGrity,
Is it ok to private Dmail you? I am wanting to get some of the smaller, "Johnny Jump-Ups" as they are called....since you have some, thought perhaps you may have some seeds as they did really well on our back porch last Spring despite our having a West-facing balcony for our apartment. I also occured to me that pansies in the ground may be very different than pansies in a container as far as survivability as one will freeze solid while the other (the soil) won't do so as readily. I know lots of people don't like Dmails, hence my asking first? I stole (ahem...recycled) a gas station's seed pods of the bright yellow...bright blue pansies..as a mix due to the amount of time I had to grab them, but I would be willing to trade some of what I have. Also, we may have other things that we could exchange as I love to get unusual seeds. LOL

Sincerely,
Thor

every year I let my minis go to seed. they have never disappointed me! my petunias, moss roses, pansies and merigolds have all come back in the spring. some times I get the rare geranium too. this year I'm trying poppies. I live in flint, Michigan NW of Detroit.

Since they come up in my garden in the spring with out doing anything special, you planting the seeds shouldn't be a problem.