HOW TO GROW THE BLUE DIAMOND IMPATIENS FROM SEED - Impatiens namchabarwensis

HOW TO GROW THE BLUE DIAMOND IMPATIENS FROM SEED - Impatiens namchabarwensis

The Blue Diamond Impatiens - Impatiens namchabarwensis is a gorgeous new species recently discovered in the Namcha Barwa Canyon in Tibet. Unfortunately current availability of the blue diamond impatiens is sparse however it is sometimes possible to purchase seed. Luckily growing the blue diamond impatiens from seed is a relatively simple affair once you have gone past the stratification process.

Blue Diamond Impatiens - http://www.finegardening.com/

As with many things in life it is easy to say but difficult to obtain, but if you can it is best to start with seed that is as fresh as you can get it.

Using 3-4 inch pots, sow the seed immediately on the surface of a good quality soil based compost such as John Innes 'Seed and Cutting', at a rate of 5 seeds per pot. Gently water in by placing the pot in a bowl of water and allowing it to seep up through the compost. Once the compost has changed colour on the surface you can remove the pot from the bowl.  Cover the seed by applying a light covering of horticultural grit or vermiculite on the surface of the pots.

Place the pots in a cool, frost-free position, but do not exclude light. Do not allow the surface to completely dry out and spray with water periodically to both water the compost and maintain humid conditions.

Unlike the usual Impatiens species that you would find in your local plant retailer, Impatiens namchabarwensis can be extremely slow to germinate, even taking several months before the first seedlings emerge.

Once they are of a suitable size you can pot on the seedlings individually into 3-4 inch pots containing a good quality compost such as John Innes 'No2'. You may wish to add some horticultural grit or sand to improve the drainage further. They can be moved to a warm, shady position outside or if there is a risk of frost then keep them under protection. In Mediterranean climates they can be grown outside in full shade, or in cooler northern European countries it will be happy in partial shade so long as it is grown in a rich, damp but well-drained soil. Keep the compost damp through the growing season.

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