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Impatiens love water, well drain soil and shade!
They are annuals for Spring and Summer, so make sure you plant them after the danger of frost has passed, normally after April 15. Impatiens are very easy to grow and care for. I am explaing how to grow them from seed and how to keep them alive when you buy the plant at a garden center.
How to start impatiens from seeds?
To start impatiens from seeds, you will need to follow these steps:
- Fill a seed tray or small pots with seed potting mix and water it well.
- Sow the impatiens seeds on the surface of the compost and press them down gently. Sow the seeds at a depth of 1/2 inch.
- Cover the tray or pots with a piece of glass or clear plastic to create a mini greenhouse.
- Place the tray or pots in a propagator or cover with a plastic bag and place in a warm, bright location but out of direct sunlight.
- Keep the soil moist (spray bottle is the best) but not waterlogged and maintain a temperature of around 18-25°C (65-75°F)
- Once germination has taken place, remove the cover and place in a bright location but out of direct sunlight.
- When the seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant them into 3-4 inch pots or trays.
- Gradually acclimatize them to outdoor conditions and plant them out after all risk of frost has passed.
It can take several weeks for impatiens seed to germinate, so be patient. Keep the soil moist and maintain a warm, humid environment for the best results.
Where to plant them in your garden?
They prefer well-draining soil and partial shade, but can also tolerate full shade. They should be watered regularly to keep the soil evenly moist, but not waterlogged. Water them 3 times a week if planted in flower beds, if you use them in planters they will need almost every day watering.
Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season. We like to use Kelp fertilizer. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming. Impatiens can be grown in pots or in the ground. In colder climates, they are often grown as annuals, while in warmer climates they can be perennial.
And at moment of planting we incorporate to the soil Espoma Organic for flowers.
Pest and diseases and how to control them. Ladybugs the garden warriors!
Impatiens are a popular bedding plant, but they can be affected by a variety of pests, including spider mites, thrips, and aphids. These pests can cause damage to leaves, flowers, and buds, and can also cause the plant to become stunted. To control these pests, it is important to keep the plants well-watered and fertilized, and to remove any damaged or infested leaves or flowers. Insecticidal soap or neem oil can also be used to control pest populations, even this products are organic and natural, it is very important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use. As for the aphids, one of the best natural control and enviromental friendly are lady bugs.
Ladybugs are a natural predator of aphids, and are often used as a biological control to help control aphid populations. Ladybugs are efficient hunters of aphids and other soft-bodied insects such as whitefly, mealybugs, and scale insects. They can eat hundreds of aphids during their lifetime. Adult ladybugs lay their eggs near aphid colonies, and when the eggs hatch, the larvae begin feeding on the aphids. Adult ladybugs and their larvae can consume several thousand aphids during their lifecycle. Ladybugs are considered a beneficial insect, so it is important to avoid using pesticides that could harm them. Instead, you can encourage ladybugs to your garden by planting a variety of flowers that provide nectar, pollen, and other food sources.
Important links:
Buy impatien seeds at: https://www.burpee.com/flowers/impatiens/
Buy online ladybugs at: https://www.greenthumb.com/product/live-ladybugs/
We buy our ladybugs from Green thumb at Pike Nurseries. When the warm season starts they will normally have it in stock.
