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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.

 They germinate well with cool nights, so try to keep them in a spot that will be between 40 and 58°F (4-14°C) for at least 8 hours a day, but ensure that they can't freeze.  If you can't provide that, then seal the pot in a container or bag and put it in the refrigerator for 8 weeks.

They can sprout at various times, but generally start within 1-2 months. Continue keeping the soil surface moist for 4 weeks after sprouting, but try to avoid keeping water on the leaves.

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

 Growing onward...

 Lighting -- This Impatiens prefers bright conditions.  Protect it from strong sun the first few months.  Adult plants flower best with bright light with weaker sun or filtered sun.  If the leave ever wilt despite the soil being moist, give it less direct 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 it seems to suffer from low humidity indoors, consider using an ultrasonic 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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