Plant, cultivate, propagate and more

Plant jumping herbs correctly

In mid-May, Kalte Sophie is the last to wear Ice Saints back, she pushes open the time window for the planting season of impatiens as a farewell. Choose a semi-shady, sheltered location with humus-rich and deep, loose soil. An acidic pH of 5.5 to 6.8 is of paramount importance. Dig small pits 20-25 cm apart in the finely crumbly prepared soil. Proceed with these steps:

• Enrich the excavation with rhododendron soil, compost and horn meal
• Place potted impatiens in lime-free water until no more air bubbles rise
• Repot soaked root balls and plant down to the lower pair of leaves

Finally, press down the soil with your hands and water generously without causing waterlogging. In this sequence you plant impatiens in pots and window boxes with rhododendron or ericaceous soil as a substrate. In addition, insert a few pieces of pottery shards over the water drain as effective drainage against waterlogging.

care tips

If the care protocol is dominated by consistency, the plant will tirelessly work hard with vigorous growth and an abundance of flowers. It depends on the following aspects:

• Keep the substrate slightly moist with decalcified water
• Fertilize organically every 4 weeks in the bed and every 2 weeks in the planter
• Regularly clean withered and faded leaves
• Fill coasters with water and pebbles to create higher humidity

Place impatiens on the balcony in good time before the first frost. The winter quarters are flooded with light, with minimum temperatures between 12 and 16 degrees. Prune and repot overwintered plants in spring.

Which location is suitable?

The tropical plant feels in good hands in a partially shaded location. Wherever the blazing midday sun does not reach, the colorful impatiens adorn the picture. Ideally, temperatures of 18 to 24 degrees Celsius prevail during the growth and flowering period, in combination with a high humidity of 60 to 75 percent.

What soil does the plant need?

In order for impatiens to spread a tropical-opulent flair, the soil should be like this:

• Nutrient-rich, humic and well-drained
• Fresh-moist to sandy-loamy
• An acidic pH of 5.5 to 6.8

Common ones are sufficient for pot culture potting soil not the requirements. Experienced hobby gardeners prefer to mix it themselves. For example, a good substrate for impatiens is made up of: 3 parts peat, 2 parts potting soil, 1.5 parts clay, 0.5 parts quartz sand and 1 part lava granules. You can use high-quality rhododendron or bog bed soil, optimized with expanded clay.

What is the best planting time?

Annual impatiens are sensitive to frost. Consequently, the planting season in the garden begins in mid-May at the earliest, when the ice saints have said goodbye. There is nothing wrong with planting in pots and balcony boxes from April, as long as it is guaranteed that the sensitive plant can spend the cold nights behind glass.

When is flowering time?

The tropical plant spoils us from May until the first frost with its heavenly abundance of flowers. Although impatiens are naturally designed as evergreen ornamental perennials, sub-zero temperatures put a merciless end to the bloom festival. Cultivated as a houseplant, flowering in the right location will not falter throughout the year.

Cut spring herbs correctly

In the proper care of impatiens, pruning occupies an important position. So that withered flowers do not impair the aesthetic appearance, they are regularly cut out. In this way, the vehement seeding in the bed is effectively prevented. At the end of the flowering period, cut the plant down to the ground or dig up the annual flower. Since hard-working Lizzies can overwinter as a houseplant, the plant is cut back by up to two thirds in early spring. The shoots then happily sprout again for another season full of flowers.

Water spring herbs

It is no coincidence that Swiss hobby gardeners affectionately call the hard-working Lieschen Süufferli, as it is constantly thirsty for water. Incidentally, this high water requirement characterizes all Impatiens species. Therefore, water regularly and plentifully without causing waterlogging. Ideally, you use decalcified tap water or collected rainwater that is administered from below. Overhead irrigation always harbors the risk of rot and fungal infections.

Fertilize jumping herbs properly

In the bed from May until the end of the flowering period, the gift of compost and horn meal every 4 weeks from the need for nutrients. In the narrowly limited substrate volume of the planter, we recommend the 14-day administration of liquid fertilizer for flowering plants. Alternatively, apply one in May long-term fertilizer and refresh it in July.

hibernate

Native to the tropical and subtropical regions of the world, the plant goes limp at temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius. In the open air, only one-year cultivation is possible. Balcony and indoor plants can hibernate in pots under the following conditions:

• Bright location at temperatures between 12 and 16 degrees Celsius
• Pour adapted to the conditions
• Fluid fertilize at intervals of 6-8 weeks

From May, the plant will return to its original place and immediately get started with a fresh shoot.

Grow jumping herbs

As a lush permanent bloomer for low-light locations, the plant arouses the desire for more specimens. Good to know that every pruning during the growing season provides plenty of material for propagation. The varietal offspring succeeds with cuttings as follows:

• Defoliate the bottom half of non-flowering top cuttings 10-15 cm long
• Plant in 9cm pots filled with lean, acidic potting soil
• Put on a transparent hood and set it up in the partially shaded window seat
• Water regularly from below

After 3-4 weeks, a vital root system has developed, so that the young impatiens can be repotted into a full-fledged substrate.

Is jumping herb poisonous?

All Impatiens species are slightly poisonous plants. The toxicity refers to the leaves and stems, while flowers and seeds are suitable for consumption. Thanks to their high nectar content, the delicate flowers are even a delicious treat, which is in no way inferior to the nutty seeds in autumn. Of course, caution should be exercised when it comes to the foliage, because eating large quantities here causes severe nausea and vomiting.
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brown leaves

If the lush green leaves on impatiens turn brown, check the site conditions and the water supply. If there are brown spots that are constantly spreading, the plant is suffering from sunburn. After moving to a partially shaded location, the flower will recover. Consistently brown leaves usually signal drought stress. Remove the dried leaves and from now on water often enough that the root ball remains constantly moist.

Yellow leaves

Yellow leaves streaked with green veins are a classic symptom of leaf chlorosis. The plant suffers from an excess of lime, since hard tap water is used for watering. Water impatiens consistently with soft water to prevent this dilemma.

How do I care for impatiens as a houseplant?

Equipped with the potential for perennial cultivation, magnificent varieties offer themselves as evergreen and everblooming houseplants. If the location offers a constant amount of light of at least 1,800 lux, the flowers will never run out of breath. How to properly care for the plant on the windowsill:

• If the substrate dries, pour plenty of decalcified water
• Dump excess water from the coaster after 10 minutes at the latest
• From October to February, spend the winter at 12 to 16 degrees Celsius in a bright window seat
• Fertilize every 14 days from March to September and every 6 weeks from October to February
• Prune the plant vigorously in spring and repot

To meet the desire for high humidity, fill the coaster with pebbles and water. The rising steam caresses the plant and creates a tropical microclimate.

As a weed, how can Balsam be combated successfully?

Troubled amateur gardeners regard the Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) as the dark sister of the hard-working Lizzie. This plant spreads explosively in the garden via seed and is therefore classified as a neophyte. In order to combat weeds effectively, the following aspects must be heeded:

• In spring, begin to uproot the plant consistently
• Mow larger areas repeatedly or use the scythe to cut
• If the infestation is persistent, cover the bed with black foil for one season
• Never dispose of clippings in the compost, but put them in the household waste

The top priority for a successful control strategy is never to let the plant seed. Himalayan Balsam will hurl its seeds up to 7 meters to invade your verdant kingdom. The use of herbicides is not recommended, as the poison has a widespread effect and affects other plants.
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Beautiful varieties

• Fiesta Sparkler Hot Pink: double-double flowers in pink and white, reminiscent of small roses; Growth height 25-40 cm
• Busy Lizzy: Gorgeous hybrid with camellia-like double flowers of salmon pink and white; Growth height up to 40 cm
• Costa Rica Lieschen: A whole series of profusely flowering Impatiens in furious colours; Growth height 25-40 cm
• Petticoat White: Edellieschen with white flowers and a ruffled edge, ideal for the pot; Growth height 25-30 cm
• Strawberry Twist: Premium variety Impatiens Cameo with pink-white, full flowers; Growth height up to 40 cm
• Balfour's Balsam: Delicate plant with bicolored lilac-white flowers with a strong need to spread
• Don't Touch It: Large balsam with bright yellow flowers and spectacular fruit; Growth height up to 100 cm