I planted a flat of impatiens seeds about a month and a half ago. A good majority of them came up, but now some are dying looking very wilted. I'm not sure what is wrong. I am watering them about twice a week and they are under lights. Anyone with advice with growing impatiens would be appreciated. This is my first attempt.
Is your soil very wet, you may have been watering them too much doesn't look like they are dampning off but if the soil is wet I would let it dry out some, are you watering from the bottom? I keep mine on the dry side a bit then water a little from the bottom as they look dry. If there is too much water in them they may start to shrink at the bottom between the stem and the dirt and that's dampning off, no cure you will lose them. If they are too wet can you put a small fan on them? Good luck :)
Lea
not sure if it's a reflection on the soil or is that mold on the surface?
if it is mold let them dry out some ... might want to try using some peroxide or chamomile tea when you water.... a fan is always good
I agree with the too wet theory as stated in the other 2 posts. In addition to that I think I would remove the larger plants to their own container, like Individual styrofoam coffee cups with dainage holes in the bottom and move your light closer to the plants, or the plants closer to the light. Mature impatiens can take a lot of water, but not at this stage.
Thanks for all of the responses. I have had a fan on them for about 3 weeks, there doesn't appear to be any mold on the surface of the dirt. I only water them from the bottom, maybe twice a week.
I have never tried peroxide or chamomile tea. How much peroxide to water ratio would I use? That sounds interesting. I'm also going to try and transplant the bigger plants to their own container.
here is a thread with ratios
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/576085/
I use food grade peroxide in case any edibles end up in my mix... and that's 35% ...store bought stuff is 6% and not supposed to be digested... but is fine for non-edibles... in my 1/2 gallon watering can I will just put a small splash of the strong stuff.. don't really measure sorry
here is some info off the site I get the food grade stuff
http://www.dfwx.com/h2o2usage.html
Thank you so much for the link to dfwx. I found it very informative.
a lot more uses that I would have ever thought of... I use it for a seed soak as well... sometimes they pop open right in the peroxide and I have to carefully pick them out
Where do you purchase food grade 35% H202? I'm assuming this isn't the same stuff you pick up in a bottle at the drug store?
I buy it from the dfwx website.... some people said they have found it at health food stores locally... but I had no luck finding it.... it's not the same as the drug store stuff.... if you have ever done a peroxide rinse with drug store stuff you will get a metallic taste in your mouth after... you won't get that with the food grade
Can I ask another question about impatiens? How many hours of light should you give the seedlings, and how close to the light bulbs? I've started veggie seeds under lights for years, but never a shade loving flower like impatiens. Wasn't sure if they needed a different treatment.
I treat them the same as everything else... not sure if that's the right thing to do or not though
Thanks. I'll be starting the seeds this weekend!
best of luck
I agree with onewish. Close to the light, and light on 18/ off 6. Just the same as my other plants. They have started to bloom for me under these conditions. Have fun!
