Impatiens from seeds

15 years ago

This is the first time i've ever tried tried to grow from seeds. I bought a box from walmart by plantation products. I added compost/manure mix to the soil then spread the seeds and lightly raked them into the dirt and on the box it said mulching recommeded, but i think there might be 2 different meanings to mulch. when i think mulch i think the pretty decorative wood chips, so i always put red mulch on my flower beds, so i put that on top of the impatiens seed. then the tree in my yard has shedded it's little helicopter thingys (nice technical name huh LOL) all onto the bed with the seeds, so now i can't even tell if the seedlings are coming cause the green of the helicopter thingys are in the way and i don't want to step into the bed to get all them out cause i'm afraid i might step on seedlings that might be under the mulch. so after that long drawn out story, is the mulching i used ok and does anyone have any experience with growing impatiens from seeds and have any suggestions that might help them grow well? thanks in advance for any help.

Comments (5)

tom8olvr
15 years ago
I've never started imps outside - I've always started them in the house - so I can't help you. But I do know that impatien seed need light to germinate - so you might NOT want to cover them with any mulch - but again there's that 'I haven't started them outside before' thing again. I'm also in zone 5, and I'm still getting a frost... I don't know how imp seed takes frost... May be someone else can address the ADDITIONAL questions I brought up! :)
MrImpatiens
15 years ago
tom8 is right they need light to germinate. Now you may get some seed to come up but it would more than likely those exposed to the light. I would think that frosts are fairly lite right now so I dont think the seed would have much of a problem. On the other hand your growing season is fairly short but dont despair if you dont like the germination you can buy plug of Impatiens and put them in.
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arabianqueen69
Original Author
15 years ago
I'm fairly new to this, so i have no clue what a plug is? i've bought impatiens that come in like 4 or 6 packs and planted those which is what i might end up having to do again, is that what a plug is?? Thanks
MrImpatiens
15 years ago
Yes that is what a plug is or a cell pack or starters they are all the same thing basically. Happy gardening and I'm sure you are off to a great start.
arabianqueen69
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you all for answering my questions :o) i pushed away some of the mulch that i put on the impatien seeds i planted and i saw a couple little seedlings trying to poke through the dirt, but i think the mulch is too heavy on top of it. So basically this is a lesson learned and won't do that again. Thanks again!