Planting Impatiens / Busy Lizzies

I've just received some Impatiens plugs. I was wondering if I should be planting these straight into the flower beds or into pots first? I've heard they can be prone to a fungus is they get too wet and am concerned that the weather is still to wet and cold to be planting them out now.
Also, what kind of soil mix should I use....and fertiliser.
Thank you

 

No Greg!!!
Put into 9 cm pots and keep frost free.
Ordinary multi purpose compost is fine for now....no need to add fertiliser yet either.
Your plants should be disease free stocks.....the impatiens now have been cleaned up
Be patient.
Dont overwater either and give them good light
They will grow fast so pot on again into slightly larger pots before planting out in late spring or early summer.

 

Since that disease with them about 5 years ago, have not bought/planted any.

 

You need to keep them at 10c/50f minimum to keep the growing.
As far as I know the mildew (or water mold) that attacks Impatiens is airborne and not carried by the plants or seed.
I presume you Impatiens are the standard Impatiens and not New Guinea hybrids which require higher temperatures and are not susceptible to mildew.

 

Thanks for the advice everyone. Strongylodon, I think they are standard Impatiens. Think I’ll keep them in the greenhouse for a few weeks before planting out.

 

I'd be inclined to keep them in the greenhouse or cold frame until early June.
I see you are in Glasgow @Greg

 

Thanks Pete. I think I’ll do that. Yes, Glasgow is where I am. Means everything happens about 6 weeks later than down south. Hoping I don’t kill these as well. I’ve already successfully killed my strawberries and pansies.

 

Pansies should have been OK in the cold spell we have had ?

 

If the greenhouse is unheated and the temperature goes below 5c you could loose them.

 

The pansies were inside. I’m still finishing building my greenhouse.
They were growing in my spare room in pots. They did really well and then started wilting and now they are dead :(

 

Try to resist watering plugs too much GregC. Plugs simply cannot take it all up and the roots will rot. I sense this is what is happening with your pansies. Cold and wet at this time of year are fatal. I keep plugs, rooted cuttings and the like on the dry side.

 

maybe I will try a tray or so this year after mothers day to plant. Maybe that is. I do miss the little spots of color they give.

 

Thanks Verdun. I do think I’m overwatering. I’m new to this whole gardening thing so still trying to get me head around how much is enough

 

Unless you have somewhere warm to keep them it really is best to resist the temptation of buying too early, this is sometimes hard to do when the GCs are selling them in late February/early March but the same plugs bought in early April will have, by the end of May, caught up and may even be stronger.

 

You're welcome Greg C. If in doubt, err on under watering plugs. , Youll soon get the hang of it
Agree with strongylodon though....waiting a couple weeks or so longer is good advice