Pale impatiens

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Shirley253 Kent, WA Jun 06, 2010

I finally got three impatiens to germinate and grow to about an inch in heighth. I've had them under a grow lamp and on top of a germination mat. I took them outside on one of our few sunny days this spring here in the Northwest to try to harden them. After I went to check on them after a couple of hours, two impatiens had turned from green to almost white. The third is still green and looks good.
I don't understand what happened and how it could happen that fast. The white leaves and now starting to shrivel up. Any ideas on what happened to the two impatiens outside in that short amount of time? They went from under a 60 watt grow light, room temp to direct sunlight. The temp outside was in the mid sixties. They had sufficient water before I set them outside but they did seem quite dry after I brought them in. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

This message was edited Jun 6, 2010 2:45 AM

This message was edited Jun 6, 2010 2:48 AM

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joycerogers0713 Wiggins, MS(Zone 8b) Jun 06, 2010

Sorry to hear you are having a problem but can you give any more info? Were they in any sun? Did they have sufficient water? Drastic temp change?

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Cearbhaill Russell, KY(Zone 6b) Jun 06, 2010

Tender seedlings are tender.
How long exactly were they exposed to direct sunlight?
"Couple hours" meaning two or more?
Morning light or high noon?

Next time try to find some dappled light for their first time out because it sounds as if they burnt up. They just don't have the root system to transpire a lot of moisture and live.

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pirl (Arlene) Southold, NY(Zone 7a) Jun 06, 2010

Hardening off is required and putting them in direct sun burned their leaves. They should go in full shade for a day or two and very gradually be introduced to a tiny bit more sun each day. After a week you'd be fine with dappled shade but not full sun for impatiens.

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Shirley253 Kent, WA Jun 06, 2010

Thanks everyone for the advice. Now that I read your responses I see what I did wrong. My reasoning for puting them in the direct sun at noon was that they had just come from under a grow light and believe it or not, I didn't think there was much difference. I feel really stupid for some reason right now. I will follow the advice about hardening from here on out with the one I have left and any future that I get to grow. Thank you!

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Cearbhaill Russell, KY(Zone 6b) Jun 06, 2010

No grow light can even come close to the immense power of the sun. I have things under HPS lights all winter and am still very careful when I bring them out each spring.

Don't feel stupid- no one was born magically knowing these things. We all have learned the hard way in one form or another.

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