At Last…A Yellow for the Shade!

-Unique new Impatiens auricoma variety let’s growers and retailers offer the “new and different.”
-Jungle Gold F1 novelty impatiens boast a good flower show of golden yellow, orchidlike blooms held above dark, glossy green foliage.
-The free-flowering plants are very vigorous – Jungle Gold combines well with other large, vigorous container plants.
-Recommended for container use – Jungle Gold plants perform better in mixed containers than in the ground, with the drier conditions in containers resulting in more flowers and better show.
-Plants grow 15 to 18 in. (38 to 45 cm) tall, with a similar spread.
-Requires full shade to provide cooler growing conditions; full sun reduces flowering, especially under higher temperatures.

Germination
Media
Use a well-drained, disease-free, soilless medium with a pH of 5.5 to 6.3 and medium initial nutrient charge (EC 0.75 mmhos/cm with a 1:2 extraction).

Plug Tray Size
The recommended plug sizes are 406-cell (384, 392, 406) to 288-cell.

Sowing
Seed may be germinated either on the bench or in a germination chamber. Germination takes 6 to 8 days.

Temperature
72 to 76°F (22 to 24°C)

Humidity
Maintain 100% relative humidity throughout germination. Cover seed lightly with coarse vermiculite to maintain high humidity.

Light
Light appears to improve germination.

Plug Production
Temperature
Maintain air temperature at 70 to 75°F (21 to 24°C) and soil temperature at 70°F (21°C) from germination to transplant..

Light
Supplemental lighting is not required, but will decrease total crop time.

Fertilizer
At radicle emergence, apply 50 to 75 ppm N. As cotyledons expand, increase to 100 to 150 ppm N.

Media Moisture
Keep soil moisture high until radicle emergence, then reduce moisture levels after the radicle penetrates the medium. Do not allow the seedlings to wilt.

Plant Growth Regulators
PGRs are not needed in the plug stage.

Transplanting
Plugs are ready to transplant when “pullable” from the plug tray. Do not allow plugs to get rootbound.

Growing On to Finish
Container Size
Jungle Gold novelty impatiens work well 4.5-in. (11-cm), 6-in. (15-cm) or gallon pots.

Temperature
Days: 72 to 78°F (22 to 25°C)
Nights: 62 to 68°F (17 to 20°C)

Watering
Maintain medium moisture level. Too much water results in large leaves that hide the flowers. Excessive wilting will cause the bottom leaves to yellow and flower buds to abort.

Fertilizer
Feed plants weekly at 150 ppm N for the first 3 weeks after transplant. Increase rate to 200 to 250 ppm N as plants mature. Use nitrate-form nitrogen fertilizer since high ammonium-form nitrogen promotes large leaves that will hide the flowers. Maintain salt levels below 2.0 EC – make sure irrigations are thorough to prevent high salt levels.

Pinching
Pinching is not needed. Best branching and flower show occur when plants are spaced when the foliage touches the sides of the pots.

Plant Growth Regulators
Bonzi spray at a rate of 3 to 5 ppm has been tested and shown effective in the PanAmerican Seed research facility in Elburn, Illinois. Apply PGRs 2 weeks after transplanting. It is not recommended to use PGRs after visible bud stage as this reduces peduncle length and may cause the flowers to be hidden by the foliage. Spacing plants as soon as they begin to touch will help reduce stretch. To determine the best PGR rate for your conditions, we recommend that you run an in-house trial.

Common Problems
Insects: Thrips
Diseases: No major disease problems will arise if using good cultural and IPM practices.

Green Thumb Tips
Home gardeners will see best results when they plant Jungle Gold novelty impatiens in larger containers in full shade. Jungle Gold plants work well in mixed containers with other vigorous plants. Feed every couple of weeks with a balanced fertilizer to maintain the best flower color.