If you want to learn how to propagate impatiens, there are three methods that you can choose from. They include starting from seeds, rooting cuttings, or dividing the plant. The good news is that all of these methods are relatively straightforward, so increasing the number of this fantastic bedding plant would be easy for gardeners.
However, since you are just starting plants, it would be an excellent consideration to use a greenhouse. Your region might be especially prone to fluctuating and harsh conditions, which is difficult for plant establishment. The greenhouse gives the gardener control over the factors that affect a plant’s growth, so you can always adjust to impatiens’ requirements.
How To Propagate Impatiens Easily
Method #1. Propagating impatiens from seeds
Do you know how to get seeds from impatiens flower? While you can buy or collect them yourself, the name impatiens is true to nature, where they impatiently scatter seeds upon a slight touch. With this in mind, you’ll have an idea that this plant will be easy to root from seeds.
Sowing
After you collected or brought impatiens seeds, you can start sowing in the greenhouse at ten weeks before you intend to transplant them outside. You can use a typical pot or planting trays and use a moist starting medium. You don’t have to cover the seeds because impatiens germinate under light, so simply press them into the soil.
Maintenance
You also want to water thoroughly to help with the moisture and cover the container with clear plastic. Choose a location that is bright but not with direct light to help with germination. The humidity from the plastic and bright environment should hasten the germination of impatiens seeds.
As you would with other plant seeds, you help them root by checking them daily if they need watering. You don’t want the medium to stay dry, but not soggy either. Make sure to let the excess moisture escape and only mist if necessary to avoid overwatering.
Impatiens can take up to 21 days to germinate, which is why some gardeners prefer other methods. However, when you grow them indoors, you can always create an ideal germination environment to speed the process. In a humid and bright environment where the soil stays between 70 to 75°F, the seeds can germinate at 14 days.
Method #2. Propagating impatiens from cuttings
Another use of the greenhouse for propagating impatiens is that it makes a suitable environment for growing parent plants. Rooting impatiens from cuttings is faster than sowing seeds, and what you’ll get are identical to the parent plant. If you have cultivars to preserve, methods number two and three would be more appropriate.
Gathering cuttings
However, the parent plant should be in a healthy condition to withstand the taking of cuttings. Some gardeners water their plants the night for taking cuttings in the morning. You can cut a 5-inch section from a growing stem free of any malformations and diseases.
Preparation and cutting
Next is to prepare the cuttings by removing the leaves at the bottom of the stem. The last two inches should be bare for rooting but leave two to four leaves on top. Then, place the cutting in a container with water, careful that the leaves don’t get wet.
Much like with seeds, cuttings will root well if it is in an area that is bright but out of direct light. This way, you don’t run the risk of burning or overheating the developing plant. And as for maintenance, replace the water itself when it gets cloudy and ensure that the level stays correct.
After a few weeks, impatiens cuttings should root, and you can start putting them in their medium once the roots are at least two inches long.
Method #3. Propagating impatiens from division
Another easy way to create copies of an impatiens plant is by dividing it. You might even be able to create multiple plants from one parent plant if its root ball is big enough. Simply dig out the plant and gently lift it out.
Sectioning
You can divide by hand and pull the roots apart, but some gardeners also use a knife for easier sectioning. Once you have the divisions, trim the roots at ⅓ upwards and remove all the dead roots. You can then plant these sections as you would a young plant.
Planting
You can use a typical potting soil as long as it has good drainage. You might also find it advantageous to add some slow-release fertilizer at this point in planting. To guarantee establishment, maintain soil moisture and let it drain well.
In the greenhouse, you can place it somewhere warm and light. You can also encourage growth by trimming the top of the foliage at about one-third.
Conclusion
You don’t have to be impatient if you want to have more impatiens. Learning how to propagate impatiens is straightforward, and you can choose to use seeds, cuttings, and divisions. You can all start these methods in the greenhouse to ensure that the environment is stable and supportive of their growth and establishment.
Choosing among these methods will depend on which you think is convenient. For example, you can sow seeds if you don’t have existing impatiens. On the other hand, both cuttings and division will take a shorter time to develop while also creating copies of the parent plant.
The main takeaway here is as long as you maintain the ideal conditions, such as moisture and bright indirect light, your impatiens should root and develop well.