African Impatiens: Fast Full-Pot Growth Care Tips and Propagation Methods

African impatiens, as the name suggests, is a plant that grows in Africa. African impatiens has bright, vivid colors, is very eye-catching, and has particularly high ornamental value. Many people are especially eager to know how African impatiens grows. This growth process is long, so how should we grow satisfying African impatiens? How can we care for it so it quickly fills a pot? Please join the editor in unraveling these questions!

How to care for African impatiens so it quickly fills a pot

1. Soil

The place of origin of African impatiens is East Africa, so it is a tropical plant. However, through long-term artificial cultivation and its own strong adaptability, it has become a flower widely planted all over the world, and in China it is a landscape plant chosen by many cities. Its reproductive capacity is very strong, and it also grows quickly. As long as suitable conditions are provided, it can achieve the effect of filling a pot in a relatively short time. Suitable soil is of course the most basic requirement. It likes sandy soil. When preparing potting soil, you can use half sandy soil plus half leaf mold, and at the same time mix in a small amount of chicken manure as base fertilizer. This can ensure water permeability and air permeability, while also providing the flowers with sufficient and lasting nutrition.

2. Care

The daily care of African impatiens is relatively simple, and what needs attention is light. Although it originates in Africa, it does not particularly like strong light. Even in its place of origin, it grows under tall trees, and the light intensity of half-day sun is enough for it to grow smoothly. Therefore, when cultivating it, it is best to place it in a shaded place, or indoors with bright scattered light. In this way, it can achieve the fastest growth rate, and the state of the flowers and leaves will also be better.

3. Diseases

Once the above two conditions are met, African impatiens can fill a pot in summer. But summer is also a season with a high incidence of plant diseases, and for plant diseases, the importance of prevention is higher than that of treatment. Therefore, before planting, it is necessary to disinfect the potting soil. High-temperature disinfection can be used, and insecticides and fungicides can also be applied to the soil. If pests are found on the plants, insecticides can be sprayed, but safety needs to be considered when using them in the home.

Propagation methods for African impatiens

1. Propagation by sowing

For indoor cultivation of African impatiens, sowing propagation can be carried out throughout the year. For the sowing medium, it is suitable to use a mixed soil of sterilized culture soil, leaf mold, and fine sand. Because the seeds of African impatiens are relatively small and have good light responsiveness, there is no need to cover them with soil after sowing. After scattering the seeds, you can cover the surface of the pot with a layer of glass or plastic film, and place it in an environment of about 20-25 degrees C. It will sprout after about half a month. After African impatiens sprouts, in order to stabilize the plant, you can scatter an appropriate amount of fine soil on the pot surface. About 3 months after sowing, it can bloom.

2. Propagation by cuttings

Cutting propagation is more suitable for propagating double-petaled flower varieties or for small-scale propagation. Cuttings can be taken at any time. Select healthy and robust African impatiens branches, cut them into branches about 5-10 cm long for cuttings, insert them into sand or soak them in water, maintain a temperature of about 20 degrees C, and after about 10 days they can take root. After rooting, they can be potted.

How to manage African impatiens in daily care

1. The potting soil should use loose, fertile sandy loam. For example, using 1/2 peat soil or leaf mold mixed with 1/2 sandy loam plus some decomposed cake fertilizer powder or commercially available chicken manure is even better. Such soil is loose and fertile, more suitable for plant growth, and also beneficial to the growth of the root system of young plants. During the 2-leaf stage of the seedlings, they can first be divided once, and when they are about 4 cm tall, they can be planted in flower pots.

2. When planting, it is best to choose a cool, moist environment for placement, which is beneficial for the seedlings to recover and survive, and also beneficial for earlier blooming. After the plants survive planting, they can be pinched once to promote side branches, which is beneficial for more branching and more blooming. During the seedling stage, growth is slow, but it has the characteristic that small seedlings can bloom. As the seedlings grow, fertilizer and water management should be strengthened. A dilute organic liquid fertilizer or 0.3% compound chemical fertilizer can be applied once every 10 days.

3. This flower likes warmth and moisture, and avoids strong light. It is best to place it in a place with half a day of light or 70% light each day, and spray water around it regularly. This can keep the plant full and blooming continuously. Large African impatiens likes half-day light conditions, and sun-tolerant varieties have now been successfully bred. For example, the Exhibition series can also grow well under full sun, so it is also suitable for flower bed planting.

How to plant impatiens seeds

1. Sowing

Impatiens is the most common flower in northern courtyards. Its greening effect is particularly good, and it can grow into a very large plant shape and can also produce large numbers of bright flowers. In the past, people also used its flowers to dye fingernails. It is really the most natural and healthiest nail polish. In April every year, the temperature just meets its germination conditions, and it can be sown in suitable soil. Of course, you can also grow it in a flower pot, but you must choose a relatively large flower pot. The soil can be somewhat; the main principle is looseness and fertility, and neutral soil is preferable. Too acidic or too alkaline is not good.

2. Care

Impatiens seeds can be directly scattered on the soil, then covered with a layer of soil, and watered appropriately. After a few days, you can see lovely young seedlings growing out. The newly emerged seedlings are still fragile, so pay attention to overly strong sunlight. Watering a little every day can promote their growth. But the way of watering should also be gentle. If you directly flood-irrigate heavily, it is easy to cause lodging. If there is a sudden late spring cold snap, insulation work should be done in advance, otherwise the young seedlings may be frostbitten.

3. Transplanting

When the young seedlings of impatiens grow to 4 true leaves, they can be transplanted. You can plant them where greening is needed. Because at this time the root system of the seedlings is still not developed enough, the operation should also be careful not to damage the young roots. Just after transplanting, they will go through a period of adaptation and may appear wilted. You can water appropriately to keep the soil moist, and at the same time provide shade. After they start growing again, they can fully enjoy sunlight and rain, and before long they will bloom beautifully.

In summer, African impatiens easily fills a pot. As long as the above two conditions are met. During the growth process of African impatiens, we should pay attention not to let pests harm the plants, and also choose a suitable environment for planting. Friends, do you understand now?