Impatiens Sweetie

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Life Cycle:Annual

Familiy, Origin:Balsaminaceae, Mountains of tropic Africa, South and Mid America

Sitelocation:Full sun- partial shade - shade

Garden Height:20 cm,7,87 inch

Crop Time:Plug crop: 5-6 weeks Flowering pots: Winter forcing: 12-13 weeks, depending on pot size

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:1818 K/g

Sowing Method:1 seed per plug

Germination:Stage I and II: 10-14 days at 22-24 °C, Stage III: 12-18 days at 17-20 °C, Stage IV: 7 days at 17-20 °C. in media with very low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.8-6.2. Requires light for germination. Before sowing treat substrate with fungicide. Cover seed lightly with vermiculite after sowing. At Stage I supplemental light (108 lx for 10 h) is required, because light deficiency stretch of the main shoot. Consistent moisture of the substrate and high humidity above 95 % for fast, uniform germination. Avoid that the substrate dries out. Temperatures below 20 °C inhibit the growth and prevent uniform germination. Seeds can be stored at 4 °C.

Plug Culture:From Stage II reduce the moisture, but the plug should not dry out, because wetness can cause brown root tips and yellow leaves. Do not let soluble salt level rise above 0,5 EC. At stage II increase the light intensity to 3500-4000 lx. The roots are sensitive to high salt levels in substrates. Start fertilization at 50 ppm nitrogen in a well balanced formula. During Stage III and Stage IV fertilization levels can be increased up to 100 ppm.

Growing On:5-6 weeks after germination transplant 1 plant into or pot (8-9 cm) or pack.

Media:Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 15-30 % clay, 0-20 % perlite, 1-1,5 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.8-6.2.

Photoperiod / Light:Day length neutral plant. In winter and spring supplemental light (3000-5000 lx) is recommended for the good plant quality and in order to decrease the cultivation time. Protect the plants in summer by shading against very high light intensity, because the leaves can get sunburned.

Temperature:Grow at 18-20 °C. After buds formation decrease the temperature to 16-18 °C. Temperatures above 24 °C combined with low light level are a cause for stretching the shoots. Temperatures below 10 °C promote yellow leaves. Impatiens does not tolerate frost.

Fertilization:Moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 100 ppm nitrogen, using a complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels. Long and soft shoots are a result of too high nitrogen levels in substrate. Prevent magnesium deficiency by applying magnesium sulphate (0,025 %) 1-2 times and in case of iron deficiency apply iron-chelate for 1-2 times. Avoid high salt levels in substrate. Avoid high fertilizer concentrations, it is advisable to fertilize several times with low concentrations weekly.

Cultural Hints:Pinching of the tops is not generally required and will increase the cultivation time by 2 weeks. Cultivate dry and keep light intensity high for compact plant growth. Avoid a nutrition supply that is too high due to high fertilizer concentration, because the roots get brown tips and the plant quality becomes poor. Plants grown rather "hungry" will flower more quickly. Wet leaves in the night rot quickly.