Impatiens Athena Grower Fact

ATHENA impatiens Cultural Information

Seed count:

Approx. 1,700 seeds per gram (48,200 seeds per ounce)

Seed format:

Elitech quality seed, Natural seed

Height:

Pot: 10-15cm

Flower size:

4cm

Botanical name:

Impatiens walleriana
Plug Production
Sowing/Media: Use a well-drained, disease-free, peat-based plug medium with pH 5.5 每 5.8 and EC <1.0 mmhos (saturated paste). No covering needed.

Germination (Stages 1 and 2): Keep soil uniformly moist, almost saturated, then reduce moisture on surface once seedlings hooking to get best rooting in and control of floppiness. Soil temperature should be 72 每 75∼F. Light levels should be <1500 footcandles, and may be beneficial for germination.

Stage 3: Soil temperature should be 68 每 70∼F. Dry down soil before watering again to improve rooting, control height and floppiness, and improve branching and budding. Do not let water sit on growing tips through the night, as tip abortion may occur. Keep light levels 2500 每 3000 footcandles. Feed every other watering with 100 每 150 ppm N from 17-5-17, 15-5-15, or 13-2-13. Keep ammonium nitrogen levels low to control height. Media pH should be 5.5 每 6.0, and EC <1.25 mmhos (saturated paste).

Stage 4: Soil temperature can be lowered to 62 每 65∼F. Dry down between waterings and keep growing tips dry going into the night to avoid tip abortion. Keep light levels around 3000 footcandles for best control of height, branching, and budding. Feed as needed but use 13-2-13 for more tone.

Plant Growth Regulators: Spray with Bonzi at 5 每 10 ppm or Sumagic at 1 每 2 ppm as needed. Adjust sprays for differences in vigor between varieties, weather conditions, and cultural practices by conducting your own trials to avoid overdosing.

Crop Time: 5 每 6 weeks for 512 plugs, 6 每 7 weeks for 288 plugs, depending on light levels and temperature.

Common Problems: Rhizoctonia, INSV/TSWV, thrips, fungus gnats, tip abortion 每 water sitting on growing tips going through the night.

Growing on to finish
Container Size: Cell packs to 4-inch pots

Media: Transplant into a well-drained, disease-free, peat-based growing mix with pH of 5.5 每 6.0 and EC <1.5.

Temperatures: Keep soil temperatures 65 每 68∼F for rooting out, the lower to 62 每 65∼F for growing on. Avoid growing too cool, as upper leaves will turn yellow.

Light: Maintain light levels around 3000 footcandles. Higher light levels may cause leaf scorching or burning, and lower yellow leaves.

Irrigation and Fertilization: Practice a good wet/dry moisture cycle for best rooting, height control, and flowering. Impatiens can tolerate a little bit of wilting. Feed once a week with 150 ppm N from 17-5-17, 15-5-15, or 13-2-13. Avoid overfeeding, as plants remain more vegetative. Keep media pH 5.5 每 6.0 and EC <1.5 mmhos (saturated paste). Watch for lower yellow leaves to determine if feed is needed.

Plant Growth Regulators: Use sprays of Bonzi (5 每 10 ppm) or Sumagic (1 每 2 ppm) as needed. Once up to size, use a drench of Bonzi (1 每 2 ppm) to control height without affecting flowering. Adjust rates and frequency of application based on vigor of varieties, weather conditions, and cultural practices. Do your own trials, especially with drenches, to avoid overdosing.

Common Problems: Rhizoctonia, INSV/TSWV, thrips, very little flowering 每 too dry or too high ammonium nitrogen with low light levels.

Crop Time: 4 每 5 weeks, depending on plug and container size, light levels, and temperature.