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Impatiens morsei

"Velvet Love" Impatiens

The seeds should be planted immediately for best germination

Getting started -- Impatiens morsei likes moist, well-draining soil that's high in organic matter.  Most high quality potting soils should work, although i recommending adding 1 part perlite to 2 parts soil, for drainage.  I also recommend adding a dash of agricultural lime (dolomite lime, not hydrated or quick lime). This is to simulate the limestone terrain that Impatiens morsei comes from.  Add only 1/2 teaspoon of lime per gallon of soil.

Fill small containers to within 1/2" of the top with screened soil. Water it so it is uniformly moist, but not soggy. Place a seed on top of each pot, and sprinkle a thin layer of soil over it - just enough to barely cover the seeds. Spray the top soil with a spray bottle.  Ensure that the surface soil doesn't dry out.  A propagation dome works well for this.  The seeds need some light to germinate, such as a fluorescent bulb kept 6 inches away.  The ideal temperature for germination is between 60 and 70 degrees. 

I recommend using rain water or bottled spring water until your plants are well-established.  You may then use tap water, as long as it's not filtered through a water-softening filter, like Brita or Pur.  These add sodium to the water, which may harm the plant.

The seeds should start germinating in 3-5 weeks, but allow up to 8 weeks for any slow ones to sprout.

Lighting -- Impatiens morsei prefers bright shade, or well-filtered sunlight.  Avoid prolonged direct sun, unless it's early-morning or late-afternoon sun.

Transplanting -- When your plants reaches 3-4" tall, carefully transfer them to 4-6" pots.  When the plants reach 10" tall, transfer them to a 2-3 gallon container. Transplant carefully to avoid damaging the delicate roots.  After transplanting, avoid packing down the soil.

Watering -- Try to keep the soil moist, but not soggy, most of the time.  You may use a moisture meter probe to monitor the moisture levels down in the root zone. 

Climate -- the plants should be given temperatures above 50 degrees, which means it needs to stay indoors in most parts of the country.  The ideal humidity seems to be between 60 and 90%.  If your room humidity is under 50%, consider using an ultrasonic room humidifier, which you can buy at places like Home Depot and thrift shops.  I am not sure how much heat this species can take.  If your plant doesn't appear to be thriving, the temperature may be too high.

Fertilizing -- Your Impatiens likes average amounts of fertilizer. Feed about every 3 weeks during periods of active growth using ordinary all-purpose fertilizer that has micronutrients.  It's normal for older leaves to occasionally turn yellow and drop, but if it's excessive, the plant may need more fertilizer, particularly nitrogen. Also check that the soil is moist, but not soggy, down in the root zone.

Pruning --  This species takes on a Christmas tree shape and there is normally no need to prune it, unless you wish to encourage growth from the bottom.  Avoid removing more than 10-20% of the branches in any given week. 

Pests to watch for -- aphids, spider mites (tiny "dots" and webbing under the leaves), whitefly, mealy bugs.  Certain spider mites can't be seen but cause deformities of the leaves.  Be careful when choosing chemical remedies, because some may harm the plant.

If you have any questions, feel free to email me. 

Enjoy your plant!

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