Ball Seed Double Impatiens culture

Media

Use media with good aeration, drainage and water-holding capacity.
A pH of 5.8 to 6.2 is optimum.
Keep growing media moderately moist. If the media stays too wet, plants will stretch and flowering will be reduced.
Once plants reach the desired size, mild water stress will promote flowering.

Temperature

Nights: 62° to 65°F (17° to 18°C)
Days: 68° to 75°F (20° to 24°C)

Light

'Fiesta' double impatiens are daylength-neutral.
Plants grow best under moderate light intensity.
Plants will stretch at light intensities below 2,000 f.c. (20,000 lux).
Reduce light intensity when temperatures are high to prevent flower and leaf burning.

Humidity

Provide 40 to 60% relative humidity with good air movement.
At high humidity, plants are soft and flowering is reduced.

Fertilizer

'Fiesta' double impatiens have a low fertilizer requirement.
Maintain media EC between 0.5 and 1.0 mmhos.
Double impatiens are very sensitive to high soluble salt levels.
Use a balanced fertilizer like 20-10-20 alternating with 15-0-15 to control growth.
Excess ammonium inhibits flowering and promotes unwanted leaf growth.

Pinching

'Fiesta' double impatiens are naturally branching and do not require pinching to promote good branching.

Controlling Growth

Maintain recommended temperatures and light levels to avoid stretch and delayed flowering.
Wet media will cause stretching and reduce flowering.
Do not crowd plants on the bench.
Avoid ammonium-N as it can cause excessive vegetative growth and delayed flowering.
Bonzi can be applied to control growth. Use 20 to 30 ppm Bonzi spray after plants are rooted to the side of the pot, then reapply as needed. As light intensity increases, reduce the rate.

Insects: Thrips, aphids, fungus gnats, mealy bugs.

Diseases: Botrytis (gray mold), Pythium, Rhizoctonia.

The most important disease and insect problem associated with 'Fiesta' double impatiens is Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus (INSV), which is transmitted by thrips. Control of thrips is necessary to avoid having INSV. In North America, contact your Ball sales rep or call the Ball Technical Services team at 800 879-BALL for information on INSV identification and thrips control. Outside of North America, contact your local distributor.

Problems Causes

Plant collapse Botrytis (stem canker)
Plants grown in saturated media for extended periods of time (Pythium)

Excessive vegetative growth and lack of flowers Excessive ammonia nitrogen in fertilizer
Over-fertilization under low light

Low light and over-watering, saturated media

Wet foliage

Poor branching and thin plants Low fertilization during early stages of growth

Handy Tips For Retailers

Display 'Fiesta' double impatiens in a shaded area.
Keep 'Fiestas' well-watered. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Avoid overhead watering.
In the display, space 'Fiesta' double impatiens so the leaves are just touching between plants to allow for air circulation and light penetration.
Feed the plants weekly with a liquid fertilizer at the rate recommended on the label.
Remember to tell home gardeners that Number One-selling 'Fiesta' double impatiens are a perfect choice for landscapes, baskets and containers.

Home Gardener "Green Thumb" Tips

'Fiesta' double impatiens are best-suited to landscapes, hanging baskets and patio planters. Choose a partial to full-shade location -- morning sun and afternoon shade are best. Space plants about 10 in. (25 cm) apart in garden beds. Keep the plants well-watered, keeping the soil moist at all times. Apply a well-balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks. 'Fiesta' gtrows to a garden height of 10 to 12 in. (25 to 30 cm).

Double Impatiens Crop Schedule and Uses

(Crop schedule in weeks)
Form

Pots
4 in. (10 cm)
1 PP*
No pinch

Pots
6 in. (15 cm)
1 PP*
Pinched

Hanging basket
8 in. (20 cm)
3 PP*
Pinched

Hanging basket
10 in. (25 cm)
4-5 PP*
Pinched

Rooted cutting:
Spring production
5-6 6-7 8-10 10-12

Rooted cutting:
Summer production
4-6 5-6 7-9 8-10

*PP: Plants per pot or basket

NOTE: Crop times listed are from a liner; add 3 weeks for unrooted cuttings. Crop times may vary depending on the climate, location, time of year and greenhouse environmental conditions. We recommend using only rooted cuttings for baskets or larger containers to ensure uniform growth.

E-mail questions to: webmaster

Problems	Causes
Plant collapse	Botrytis (stem canker) Plants grown in saturated media for extended periods of time (Pythium)
Excessive vegetative growth and lack of flowers	Excessive ammonia nitrogen in fertilizer Over-fertilization under low light Low light and over-watering, saturated media Wet foliage
Poor branching and thin plants	Low fertilization during early stages of growth

(Crop schedule in weeks) Form	Pots 4 in. (10 cm) 1 PP* No pinch	Pots 6 in. (15 cm) 1 PP* Pinched	Hanging basket 8 in. (20 cm) 3 PP* Pinched	Hanging basket 10 in. (25 cm) 4-5 PP* Pinched
Rooted cutting: Spring production	5-6	6-7	8-10	10-12
Rooted cutting: Summer production	4-6	5-6	7-9	8-10