African Violets and Gesneriads: What's Blooming Part II, 1 by kimskreations

kimskreations wrote:
LOTS of great information here and LOTS of beautiful pictures too ladies :)

I grew Balsam Impatiens for the first time last year and simply fell in love with it. At first I didn't know what it was because I didn't mark the pot *lol* and Ecrane ID'd it for me. Luckily, every bloom produces seed. I had planted it a little late last year so I literally brought the plant in and cared for it until I had gathered every seedpod.

I was told that they don't come true (color wise) from seed. But as an experiment, I tried to separate the colors when I took the seed. I am assuming that they really don't come true from seed as I am quite sure the only color ones I sowed were the coral color but got the hot pink. *lol*

So this year, I will have a HUGE bucket full of them. I also got some seed for the spotted ones that I'm really anxious to try too :) I can't wait ,to get out there and sow some seed. Do you think it would be possible that our 4 feet of snow will melt by morning in our 20 degree night tonight? *lol*

Here is a picture of one from last year. I had pink, purple, white and a few coral colored ones. It was love at first sight and I will grow them every year from now on. I never really cared for annuals but WOW, what a difference they made last year. I will have annuals again this year but all from seed I sow as I refuse to buy a plant that isn't a perennial or houseplant *lol*

Kimber