The Latest Cultivation Techniques and Methods Tutorial for Impatiens
Impatiens, also known by the aliases of henna flower, acute seed, daughter flower, golden phoenix flower, etc., belongs to the Balsaminaceae family. It is an annual herb with erect stems, plant height ranging from 30 to 80 cm. The stems are thick, juicy and smooth, with swollen nodes, appearing green or dark brown. Stem color is related to flower color. Leaves are alternate, narrowly lanceolate, with fine serrations along the edges. Flowers are solitary or in clusters of several in the leaf axils, with 3 sepals, the two lateral ones smaller and the posterior one larger, extending outward into a spur. There are 5 petals, with two pairs fused, appearing as 3 petals, or double-petaled, in white, pink, red, purple or variegated colors, sometimes with stripes and spots on the petals. The flowering period is from June to October. The capsule is pointed-ovate, and the seeds are round, yellowish-brown, and easily burst open on their own when mature.
Impatiens loves heat and fears cold, has strong adaptability, and can self-sow and propagate. The whole plant can be used as medicine; the flowers mainly treat snake bites and lumbar and rib pain; the roots and leaves can disperse blood and promote menstruation.
Most of the plants currently on the flower market are New Guinea impatiens. New Guinea impatiens is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant of the genus Impatiens in the family Balsaminaceae. It has rich flower colors, bright and cheerful hues, blooms in all four seasons, with abundant flowers and a long flowering period; the plant is full and plump, the leaves are clean and beautiful, and the leaf color and shape are uniquely distinctive; it grows quickly and can naturally take shape, making it suitable as a fashionable potted flower supplied year-round.
Growing Conditions
The ideal temperature for vegetative growth is 22°C to 25°C during the day and 20°C to 21°C at night; after 5 weeks, for tall plants, 24°C to 26°C during the day and 18°C at night, and for compact plants, 20°C to 21°C during the day and 18°C at night; a night temperature of 18°C is the ideal temperature for flower differentiation and development, especially under low light; when the daytime temperature exceeds 28°C to 29°C, shading should be provided, otherwise the flower size will be reduced. Temperatures below 15°C or above 32°C will affect normal growth. Sufficient light is needed, but strong light should be blocked in summer.
Cultivation Techniques
Finished flowers are usually planted in 10 to 15 cm pots; the substrate should be loose and breathable, and have a certain degree of water retention. It is very sensitive to salt damage, so it is advisable to apply thin fertilizer frequently. Avoid overwatering or drought. The optimal pH is 5.8 to 6.5. In order to make the plant shape full, pinching and shaping should be carried out.
Fertilization and Watering
Use 50 to 100 ppm nitrogen fertilizer for the first three weeks, then 100 ppm nitrogen fertilizer for the following three weeks, then fertilize according to soil analysis, and water once every two weeks afterward to avoid salt damage. Twisted, dark green and curled leaves are a signal of excessively high salinity. The application of slow-release fertilizers and micronutrients often leads to toxicity.
Pest and Disease Control
The main diseases are gray mold, pythium rot, rhizoctonia and powdery mildew. Low salt and appropriate watering can avoid pythium rot. Pests: before flowering, always pay attention to the control of thrips, spider mites (curled growing points) and fungus gnats, otherwise the application of insecticides during the flowering period will affect flower development. Applying pesticide at 35 ounces/100 GAL to irrigate the roots can control fungus gnats.
Precautions
The problems that easily occur during cultivation are mainly manifested as delayed flowering or no flowers: lack of light, excessively high night temperature (above 20°C), and excessive nitrogen fertilizer application, and these three causes often exist at the same time; failure to root or initially failure to grow, root rot, substrate too wet, and often low temperature (below 20°C), sometimes excessively high salinity; if only some plants fail to grow, fungi or gnats may be one cause. Flower sterility or few flowers: usually caused by low light and high night temperature (night temperature above 20°C), and it becomes more serious when they occur at the same time; high nitrogen fertilizer, especially high ammoniacal nitrogen fertilizer, can also cause it, and it will be more serious when the above conditions occur at the same time.