Leggy pansies

Slow-worm

I buy violas or pansies every year for pots, but they always go leggy very quickly, no matter what soil or position/aspect they're in, what am I doing wrong, and can I cut them back mid flowering?

RoddersUK

Leggy, but still flowering? A photo would help.
I find if you squeeze them in too much, they grow tall too out compete everything else, give them some space and they spread.

Yes, I cut mine down, give them a few weeks and they should pick up again.

Plantminded

If you are using fresh compost, don't feed them as well, there'll be enough nutrients in the compost to keep them going.  Overfeeding can cause them to bolt.

GardenerSuze

They don't like warm weather. Better grown in the colder months. I never feed them

Uff

I've cut 2 pots back today as they were getting leggy. I do this every year and they grow back and last until late autumn. 

Slow-worm

Thank you all.
I never feed them. One pot is in last year's compost, one is in garden soil. I don't think they're overcrowded, there's plenty of space between each plant, but I will check the roots. I keep them shaded in the afternoon.
I'll chop them back and put them somewhere cooler though. 👍

Fairygirl

Cool and damp is the preferred site. The main problem with that is that it's also the preferred site for slugs 

Slow-worm

Fairygirl said:

Cool and damp is the preferred site. The main problem with that is that it's also the preferred site for slugs 

Thanks 👍
I copper tape the pots, one was in Slug Central for a couple of years with no bother, hurrah! 😄