Impatiens are the ubiquitous colorful flowers that can be seen lining garden borders and blooming out of pots on front porches all summer long.These gorgeous flowers come in a variety of colors and can be planted in patterns for a stunning visual effect.Learn how to grow and care for impatiens so they produce healthy, vibrant blossoms.
Step 1: Purchase impatiens plants at your local gardening center.
Most gardening centers and nurseries carry flats of impatiens in a variety of colors, making it easy to pick up a few trays of your favorites.If you want to create a colorful pattern in your garden, buy impatiens in one color or mix and match them.There are three types of impatiens that come in different colors and different sizes.The Tom Thumb varieties have large, bold-colored flowers, while the Super Elfin, and the Swirl, have orange and red colors with swirled patterns on the petals.If you want to start impatiens from seed, it's easy to do.You will need to sow the seeds in seed starting mix in January to be ready for spring planting.Keep the trays moist by pressing the seeds lightly into the mix.
Step 2: Before planting, keep the plants moist.
Impatiens have a hard time getting enough water.If you start your impatiens from seed, you need to make sure they stay moist until you're ready to plant them in pots or the ground.If you keep your potted plants outside, don't put them in direct sunlight as it will dry them out quickly.
Step 3: There is a good place to plant the impatiens.
Impatiens do well in pots, planters and garden beds.They like shady spots that have partial shade throughout the day.If impatiens spend time in standing water, it's a good idea to make the soil moist and well-drained.Impatiens grow best in USDA zones 10 and 11.The southern and southwestern United States are included.Take a look at the spot after a heavy rain to see if the area can drain.If you see standing water and puddles, you'll need to add something to the soil to help it drain better.You could try to re-direct the rain into the area.It's a good spot for planting if the water gets absorbed.
Step 4: When the soil warms up, plant your impatiens.
When the soil is warm and the flowers won't freeze, it's a good idea to not plant impatiens until after the last frost.They may die before the warm season begins if they are planted too early.
Step 5: The soil should be prepared for planting.
Impatiens are rich and moist.You can prepare the soil by tilling it to a depth of 12 inches, then mixing in some compost or a light application offertilizer.If you're planting impatiens in pots, buy good soil.
Step 6: Plant the impatiens.
Place the impatiens' root balls in the ground or pot.Depending on your preference, the holes may be 8 to 12 inches apart.Press the soil around the stems.After planting, water the impatiens.In a flower bed, impatiens can be planted close together to make nice borders.You can put a few in a container that is 5 to 7.5 cm apart.You can put your impatiens in hanging baskets instead of a container.Your impatiens will grow together and cover the bare soil between them.
Step 7: They should be kept moist at all times.
If the soil is not allowed to dry out, impatiens will quickly die.They should be water around the roots in the morning.If you keep impatiens wet overnight, they are prone to getting mildewed when the weather gets too wet.You may have to water flowers in pots more often if the planters dry out faster than the ground.
Step 8: Fertilizing impatiens is important.
You can apply a liquidfertilizer every few weeks or use a slow-releaseFertilizer according to package instructions.