General Growing Advice
Using a good quality multi-purpose compost, pot up your plugs into 10cm pots. Once your plug plants have been potted on and labelled, water them in well and grow on for around 5-6 weeks. Water once the compost starts to dry out.
If preferred you can pot on the plugs into hanging baskets, flower bags or pots. Add a slow release plant food like Miracle-Gro Slow Release All Purpose Plant Food to your compost which will give extra nutrients for strong and healthy plant growth.
Keep plants frost free until mid/late May and then harden off before being placed in their final positions when the risk of frost has passed in your area.
Water as necessary giving a liquid feed such as Neudorff Organic Plant Feed as instructed throughout the growing season.
***For packs of 40/20 plug plants gently remove the small plugs from the tray by pushing up from the bottom using a pencil.
Impatien Advice
Plants require good light but shade lightly on very bright days to keep flowers above the foliage and prevent leaf burn. Space plants well in their growing environment to avoid stretching.
Good hygiene should be maintained throughout the growing phase. Try not to get the compost too wet and allow the plants as much light as possible. Maintain temperature levels and avoid leaving plants wet late in the day to prevent growth tip abortion. Gradually acclimatise plants to the outside conditions by placing in a sheltered place during the day and bring them back inside at night. Watch out for cold winds as well as pets, birds, mice etc. After all risk of frost has passed they can be left out or planted into their final flowering position for you to enjoy.
Impatiens grow well in semi-shade and make excellent long-lasting summer colour plants in tubs, pots, baskets, pouches as well as beds and borders. They make very good all year round house plants and can be over wintered in a cool room indoors or a frost free greenhouse. Regular feeding about once a week will ensure blooms all summer.
Pest and disease: Keep a eye out for greenfly, Whitefly, Red Spider Mite (Two spotted Mite) and other pests. If they become a problem, use a recommended proprietary brand of insecticide. Botrytis (grey mould) may affect the flower buds and cause them to drop, so try to avoid watering from above and increase the ventilation. Pick off any badly affected flowers and spray with a recommended proprietary brand of fungicide. Don't forget to deadhead and remove any damaged flowers or leaves. Deadheading will promote more flowers and help reduce the spread of any pests or disease.
