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Impatiens gomphophylla

Germinating the seeds

When to plant -- Plant your seeds when you receive them for best germination.

Getting started -- You may plant each seed in individual, small containers.  Or you can plant them all in a single container, but it may be more difficult to transplant them later.  Either way, use pots with drainage holes

 For soil, use a well draining mix high in organic matter.  A typical mix is 2 parts potting soil to 1 part perlite (use small- or medium-size perlite, not large chunks) or coarse sand.  An alternate mix is 1 part coco fiber to 1 part perlite, with some slow-release fertilizer mixed in.

 Fill the pots with soil and place a seed or 2 on the surface.  If you have  long-fibered sphagnum moss (not ground peat moss), sprinkle some on the surface. This helps retain moisture around the seeds while allowing light to reach them, which aids germination.  This photo shows how much moss to use.  If you don't have the moss, sprinkle some of your soil mix around the seeds.  Add water until everything is evenly moist (but not soggy).

 Until the seeds sprout, ensure that the surface soil always stays moist.  A plastic dome or bag is good for maintaining moisture, but leave it open a crack to allow some fresh air in.  You may need to drip a few drops of water over the seeds every day to keep the seeds moist.

 The ideal temperature for germination is between 65 to 77 degrees F (18-26°C).  A little cooler at night is ok.  Avoid letting them get above 80° F (27°C) for prolonged periods.  I recommend placing a minimum/maximum thermometer near the pots.

 Keep them in bright light out of direct sun.  A bright LED or fluorescent bulb kept 4 inches (10 cm) away provides the right amount of light (See: "Growing indoors with LED lights").  

 They tend to start germinating in about 3 to 5 weeks, but may take up to 8 weeks to start.  Increase air ventilation slightly after sprouting to prevent rot, but continue keeping the soil surface moist for 2-3 weeks after sprouting.

Growing onward...

Lighting -- This Impatiens prefers bright conditions.  Protect it from strong sun the first few months.  Older plants flower best with bright light with weaker sun or filtered sun.

Transplanting -- When your plants are 2-3 months old, you may gently transfer them to larger pots.  Avoid damaging the roots when repotting.  Shade it from sun the first week after repotting.  A 1 gallon (4 liter) pot is fine the first year.  The second year, use approximately a 3 gallon (12 liter) pot.  After a few years, it may need a 5 gallon (20 liter) pot, especially if the soil dries out fast and the leaves wilt.

Watering -- Aim to keep the soil evenly moist, never letting it dry out completely, except if it goes dormant in cool conditions.  You may use a moisture meter probe to monitor the moisture levels down in the root zone.

Climate -- It seems to prefer temperatures below 85° F (29°C), with nights below 65°F (18°C).  The tuber reportedly can go dormant in hot weather.  In warmer climates, use an oversized pot to keep the tubers cooler.  The tuber should survive down to at least 25° F (-4°C) if well mulched.

 Over about 40% humidity is best.  If the humidity gets too low indoors, consider using an ultrasonic room humidifier, sold at home improvement stores and some thrift shops.

Dormancy care -- In winter the tubers may go dormant if conditions are cool enough.  If this happens, reduce watering, giving just enough to keep the soil slightly moist, so the tubers don't shrivel.  Indoors, the plant might not go dormant, or it may go semi-dormant.  Don't feed it while it's semi-dormant.

Pests to watch for -- Watch for any pests that can affect your other plants.  Start with insecticidal soap spray before using stronger remedies.

Have fun growing them!

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