Brighten a darker part of your tropical garden with the beautiful shade-loving tropical impatiens. Also known as New Guinea impatiens, they have large, vivid bright flowers in a range of colours from red, pink, white, orange and leaves that are either green or burgundy. Tropical impatiens have a long flowering cycle and can provide colour for 10 months of the year when planted in the right spot.
Planting Calendar
Tropical Impatiens are available in garden centers from Spring through to Summer
Prepare
Position
Tropical impatiens are best grown in shade or filtered light either in a pot or planted into the garden. Select a place that gets morning sunshine or dappled light in your garden.
Soil
When planted into the ground Tropical Impatiens like a free draining soil that is rich in organic matter. To improve the organic content in your soil, break up the soil and add Kings Compost and Kings Sheep Pellets then mix together well. When growing in containers, plant into Kings Container mix. This mix contains added water storage crystals and Saturaid, two products that help maintain moisture in the soil.
Plant
When planting into the ground, gently tap the plant out of its pot. Dig a hole twice the depth and width of the plants root ball. Mix Kings Compost into your existing soil at a 50/50 ratio, add Sheep Pellets and Tui Novatec Premium Fertiliser, then mix together well. Back fill the hole with this soil, so that when planted the top of the plant’s roots sit level with the surrounding ground. Firm the soil down gently and water in well with Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster. In heavier clay soils, where drainage is likely to be an issue, plant onto a raised mound and sprinkle Gypsum Clay Breaker into the bottom of the hole, this helps slowly condition the soil and will help to break down the clay. When planting into containers plant in Kings Containers mix, as this has water retention crystals in it, which will help in keeping the soil moist. Firm the soil down gently and water in well with Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster.
Care
Watering
Tropical impatiens need adequate watering all through the growing season. Water slowly allowing the water to sink down into the roots, rather than allowing it to run off the top of the soils surface. Add Saturaid into the soil at planting as this will help channel the water deep down into the root zone. If planted in pots never allow the pot to sit in water. Water well in summer to keep the soil moist, preferably in the morning before the sun gets too hot..
Feeding
Feed the plants with Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster fortnightly throughout the growing season. You can also add Tui Premium Novatec slow release fertiliser once in spring and once in summer to keep the feeding going all season.
Mulching
Mulch around the base of the plants (make sure that the mulch does not come into direct contact with the stem of the plant) with Living Earth More than Mulch. Mulching helps to reduce weeds as well as aiding the soil to retain moisture.
Pruning
A light trim a couple of times in the season can keep the plant looking tidy and bushy. Removing the dead flowers will promote more flowering.
General Care
When using sprays, chemicals or fertilisers always read the label and follow the instructions. Apply sprays in the evening to avoid harming beneficial insects.
Beginner Tip
Sunpatiens are a new variety breed to grow in the sun and are best planted November onwards. They make a good feature in pots as well as in mass planting in the ground.
Expert Tip
The best time to plant is early morning or in the evening so the plants are not affected by the hot sun. The foliage on Tropical impatiens will droop if the sun is too hot for the position they are in. As the temperature cools they will perk up again.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I water tropical impatiens?
Tropical impatiens need adequate watering all through the growing season. Water slowly allowing the water to sink down into the roots, rather than allowing it to run off the top of the soils surface. Add Saturaid into the soil at planting as this will help channel the water deep down into the root zone. If planted in pots never allow the pot to sit in water.
How do I fertilise tropical impatiens?
Feed the plants with Aquaticus Organic Garden Booster fortnightly throughout the growing season. You can also add Tui Premium Novatec slow release fertiliser once in spring and once in summer to keep the feeding going all season.
What pests and diseases should I watch out for?
Common pests include aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies. Diseases to watch for are powdery mildew and root rot, often caused by overwatering.
How do I prune tropical impatiens?
A light trim a couple of times in the season can keep the plant looking tidy and bushy. Removing the dead flowers will promote more flowering.
How do I propagate tropical impatiens?
Propagate tropical impatiens by taking stem cuttings. Place the cuttings in water or moist potting mix until roots develop, then transplant them to their final location.
