How to Grow Double Impatiens
Double impatiens, Impatiens walleriana, are a popular species of annual ornamental flowering plants. Healthy double impatiens are flush with beautiful double blooms, reminiscent of miniature roses. They may be grown in the ground or in pots. Under the right conditions, they are easy to grow and require little care. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Select a location to plant your double impatiens that receives filtered sunlight. Impatiens have soft stems that are easily dried out and burned by heat and direct exposure to sunlight. The soil should be soft (not compacted) and contain organic matter. Impatiens do not thrive in boggy soils. Their soft roots are susceptible to fungus and rot if the soil is too wet. While double impatiens may be grown in pots, they require close monitoring to prevent drying out. In the summer, double impatiens in pots may have to be watered twice daily.
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Select healthy, firm plants that are just beginning to bloom. The soil in the pots should be damp, but not soggy. Avoid plants with withering, distorted or yellow leaves. These could be signs of aphid or mite infestation, or disease caused by fungus or bacteria.
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Till the garden bed and amend the soil with compost. If you are concerned with the soil drying out, add moisture retention gel crystals, as instructed by the manufacturer. Use a garden spade to dig holes for planting, as far apart as the width of the foliage on the plant, and the same width and depth as the container. Double impatiens may be spaced closer if you want to fill the bed quickly with color. If the plant is root bound, tease the tangled peripheral roots apart with the point of a pencil. Put the roots in the ground so the stems are at ground-level and backfill with soil.
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Water thoroughly. Impatiens require about 4 inches of water a week. The soil should stay damp, but not soggy. Insufficient water will cause the plant to wilt and quit flowering. Too much water will cause the roots to rot and the plant to die. After you start to see new growth, apply time-released organic fertilizer, according to manufacturer's instructions.
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