Impatiens - the other species

Hi MrG and welcome to the forum. Whilst I started this thread, I have to admit that I know very little about the Impatiens genus. But I seem to remember the book that I read said that seed was a difficult way to propagate, but that cuttings were easy.

I have only propagated I. niamniamensis. I put cuttings in a glass of water as you would with the ordinary bussy lizzy. Then potted them up when they had a decent amount of roots growing. It was very easy. But if you have taken an interest in this area - I suspect that you know a lot more than me.

 

From what i have learned (from reading) is that seed is more successful when grown fresh, I (like most other people) have had greater success when propagating via cuttings.

Thanks for the welcome PeterS

 

I have found that Impatiens kilimanjari is similar to Impatiens walleriana when it comes to rooting cuttings, it rooted as quickly in water as it did in perlite/grit mixture.

Does anyone know of any other species Impatiens that are as easy to propagate, if we use Impatiens walleriana as the point of reference it would be a 10/10 for ease of propagation.

Impatiens kilimanjari 9/10
Impatiens morsei 3/10
Impatiens niamniamensis 7/10

 

Well done MrG. I don't know the answer, but cuttings in water is so easy that the only thing to do is try it and see.

The problem I found was finding the unusual species.

 

Never tried in water.

Impatiens morsei 9/10 in the growing medium.
I.niamniamensis - sliced it up 8/10

 

You and I both mate, maybe our friends on the forum might know the who,what and where are the best places to find these elusive plants

 

longk, My Impatiens morsei cuttings rotted off in water when I tried them hence my low score of 3/10, my cuttings of them in a growing medium I shall let you know about if they are successful.

 

That is the reason that I always water mine from the bottom - I've had them collapse when I used to water from the top Fortunately they root very easily in a good airy mix.

The Niamniamensis grew really well out in the main bed last summer..............




Rather than dig it up I just sliced it up into 12 to 15cm lengths and potted them up - only one failed to take.

 

I will bare that in mind if my morsei cuttings survive.

p.s. I like your niams photos,I will also commit to memory the tip for your way of doing the cuttings (slicing them up)

 

I have acquired a cutting of Impatiens niamniamensis variegata


I've been scouring the internet for 'not so easy to find species' unfortunately they are proving to be just that

 

There appears to be many varieties of Impatiens niamniamensis, Hares hybrid, Magenta prince,Long spur,African king,African queen & African princess to name a few,whether they are all genuine I don't know but it certainly makes searching for them interesting.

 

My Niamniamensies is thriving and sending out little yellow pouches. Are these seeds and are they viable without having been pollinated? I have gently put one or two just under the soil to see what happens. Would be grateful for advice please,
Jenny namaste

 

The seed pods are long 'n thin, and explode when you touch them once they've ripened!

 

Oh, thank you Keith. Not seed pods then.
Jenny

 

I just had my first flower on my Bicaudata X Auricoma