easy grow guide impatiens athena (F1 Impatiens walleriana)
Plug Production: 512 or 288 plugs
Sowing/Media:
Use a well-drained, disease-free, peat based plug medium with pH 5.5 – 5.8 and EC <1.0 mmhos. No need to cover seed. Media should be moist, almost saturated, temperature should be 72-75°F (22-24°C), light levels of <1500 footcandles may be beneficial for germination , maintain high humidity. Dry down surface slightly once seedlings are hooking to improve rooting, maintain temperature at 72-75°F (22-24°C) and light levels at <1500 footcandles Allow media to dry further between irrigations to improve rooting, branching and budding and control height and floppiness, media temperature should be 68-70°F (20-22°C), light levels should be 2500-3000 f.c. Fertilize with 100-150ppm N from 17-5-17, 13-2-13 or similar avoiding high levels of ammonium nitrogen, keep media pH at 5.5-6.0 and EC at <1.25 mmhos. Make sure growing tips are dry going into the night to avoid tip abortion. Irrigate as stage 3, media temperatures down to 62-65°F (17-19°C), keep light levels at 3000 f.c. Fertilize as required but use 13-2-13 for more tone. Sprays of Bonzi (5-10 ppm) or Sumagic (1-2 ppm) can be used if needed.
Germination Stage 1: (3-5 days)
Germination Stage 2:
Germination Stage 3:
Germination Stage 4:
Growing On to Finish: Cell Packs, 4 inch (10cm) pots, Baskets/Containers
Media:
Use a well-drained, disease free, peat-based growing mix with pH 5.5-6.0, EC <1.5 mmhos. Keep temperatures at 65-68°F (18-20°C) for rooting out and lower to 62-65°F (17-19°C) for growing on. Avoid cooler temperatures as the upper leaves will turn yellow. Keep light levels around 3000 f.c. any higher may cause leaf scorch/burn and lower yellow leaves Practice a good wet/dry cycle to achieve best rooting, height control and flowering. Impatiens can tolerate mild wilting between irrigations. Feed once a week with 150 ppm N from 17-5-17, 15-5-15, or 13-2-13. Avoid over feeding as plants will become more ‘leafy’ and produce less flowers. Keep media pH 5.5-6.0, EC <1.5 mmhos, watch for lower yellow leaves to determine whether fertilizer is needed. Growth can be controlled by managing moisture, fertilization and temperature. If PGR’s are required, sprays of Bonzi (5-10 ppm) or Sumagic (1-2 ppm) will control growth. When plants are mature, a Bonzi drench (1-2 ppm) will control height without affecting flowering. It is advisable to run your own trials to find the most suitable application rates and frequencies to suit your programs in your conditions.
Temperatures:
Light:
Irrigation:
Fertilizer:
Growth Regulators:
Pests:
Aphids, Thrips Spider mites and Fungus Gnats
Diseases:
Rhizoctonia, Pythium, Botrytis Blight, Alternaria leafspot, Pseudomonas, Downy Mildew INSV, TSWV. A preventative fungicide program is recommended.
Plug Times:
512 Plug:
3-4 weeks from sowing to transplant
288 plug:
4-5 weeks from sowing to transplant
Transplant to Finish: Container
Plants/Container
Transplant to Finish Total Crop Time
Flats or Six Packs
1x plug per cell
4-5 weeks
7-10 weeks
4” (10cm):
1x plug
5-6 weeks
8-11 weeks
12” Baskets (30cm):
7x plug (288)
8-10 weeks
12-15 weeks
Crop times are based on optimum conditions. Alternative environmental conditions and cultural regimes can affect the crop times stated above. www.floranova.com
Made with FlippingBook Learn more on our blog