Accent Sunrise Mix Impatiens Seeds Item #A-1080 | 30 Seeds | Price: $1.95 Qty: Shades of apricot, coral, orange, salmon and white provide a warm glowing combination. These are just fabulous in a large planting, as well as vibrant enough to stand separtely for a change of pace from the common pink and reds. This is one of America's favorite Impatiens, with its versatile uses and showy presentation with huge 2�" blooms all over neat. Low growing 10" plants. (Package 30 Seeds)

Flower Garden-Tips on Growing Impatiens From Seed

Start by filling your seed flats with a good seed-starting mix or formula that you should wet thoroughly. Scatter your seeds over the top of the seed tray and press down lightly. Do not cover seeds. Also when you water do so from the bottom of the tray as to not disturb the new seedlings. Our seeds are refined which improves the germination and uniformity.

Stage 1 Radicle (Embryonic Root)

• Keep media moist and near saturation by watering before placement of seed.
• Do not cover or bury the seed, as the seed needs light for germination.
• The germination temperature at this stage should be 72 to 76�F (22 to 24�C).
• Light levels at 100 to 400 fc (foot candles) will enhance the germination process.
• Soil pH should be 6.0 to 6.2 with soluble salts (EC less than 0.75 ). It is important to keep ammonium levels less than 10 ppm. (parts per million)
• Plants are very sensitive to high salts (EC) during this stage.

Stage 2 Hypocotyl (Stem and cotyledon emergence)

• First start reducing moisture levels once the radicle emergence occurs. At this point allow the soil to dry out slightly before watering again, this will aids in the germination and rooting process.
• Soil temperatures at this point should be 72 to 75�F (22 to 24�C).
• Light levels should be 450 to 700 fc (foot candles). If you are using a supplemental lighting system for about 2 weeks � do so after the cotyledons have expanded for 12-18 hours per day.
• It is important to maintain ammonium levels at less than 10 ppm. The soil pH at 6.0 to 6.2 with soluble salts ( EC less than 1.0).
• You can start to fertilize at this point. Use a 50-75 ppm (parts per million) N from 14-0-14 formula or a calcium/potassium nitrate feed once the cotyledons have fully expanded.
• It is important to alternate your fertilizing feed schedule with every 2 -3 clear water irrigations.

Stage 3 Cotyledon (Growth and development of true leaves)

• At this time allow the soil to dry out thoroughly between each watering or irrigations, however do avoid severe wilting of the seedlings, to promote root growth and the shoot growth.
• Maintain the soil pH at 6.0 to 6.2 with the soluble salts ( EC less than 1.0)
• You can increase the feed at this point to 100-150 ppm N from 20-0-20 and alternate with 14-0-14 or any other calcium/ potassium nitrate base fertilizer.
• It is important to alternate your fertilizing feed schedule with every 2 -3 clear water irrigations.
• Soil temperatures should always be between 68-72�F (20-22�C).

Stage 4 Getting ready for transplant/growing on period

• Do allow the soil to dry thoroughly, however not to allow the plants to wilt.
• Keep your temperatures maintained at 62-65�F (17-18�C).
• Maintain the soil pH at 6.0 to 6.2 with the soluble salts ( EC less than .75)
• You can continue to fertilize with 14-0-14 or with a calcium/potassium nitrate feed level at 100 to 150ppm N as needed.
• Impatiens do not require a high feed level, they prefer a low to moderate level. By having excessive amounts of feed your result will be lush and vegetative stretched seedlings. This is what you do NOT want.

For the growing on to finish stage:

• Night temperature: 62-65�F (17-18�C)
• Day temperature: 65-75�F (18-24�C)
• Maintain light levels as high as possible while you also maintain moderate temperatures.
• Once plants are rooted to the sides of the containers, you can allow the plants to wilt down prior to irrigation as this will provide some height. To control height you can withhold fertilizer, especially ones with phosphorus and ammonium form of nitrogen.
• Remember that Impatiens are basically shade loving plants and should not be exposed to excessive levels of sun. If they are hardened properly the plant can handle 4-6 hours of morning sun.

USDA Hardiness Zone -First Frost Date- Last Frost Date

• Zone 1 -July 15th -June 15th
• Zone 2 -August 15th- May 15th
• Zone 3 -September 15th May 15th
• Zone 4 -September 15th May 15th
• Zone 5 -October 15th April 15th
• Zone 6 -October 15th April 15th
• Zone 7 -October 15th April 15th
• Zone 8 -November 15th March 15th
• Zone 9 -December 15th February 15th
• Zone 10 -December 15th January 31st (sometimes earlier)
• Zone 11 _No frost. No frost.

Terms and Their Meaning:

• EC=Electrical Conductivity

Plant injury resulting from excessive soluble salts may first occur as a mild chlorosis of the foliage, later progressing to a necrosis of leaf tips and margins. This type of injury is largely attributed to the mobility of soluble salts within the plant. As these salts are rapidly translocated throughout the plant, they accumulate at the leaf tips and margins. Once the salts reach a toxic level they cause the characteristic "burn" associated with excessive salts. For an accurate reading get an EC meter. Soluble salts in irrigation water are measured in terms of electrical conductivity (EC). The higher the salt content the greater the EC. In general EC values exceeding 2.0 are considered toxic to plant growth. Monitor your water quality frequently in order to avoid potential problems from soluble salts.

• FC=Foot Candles

Light intensity is a primary factor in the photosynthesis of all plants. Full unobstructed sunlight has an intensity of about 10,000 fc. Where as an overcast day will produce an intensity of around 1,000 fc. A window sill or light around a window or patio glass door can range from 100 to 5,000 depending of course what direction the light source is facing, or the time of year and your latitude.

• PPM=Parts Per Million

This unit of measure is relatively unique to the greenhouse industry and often there is some confusion on how ppm is calculated.
I. To calculate the ppm contained in 1 ounce of material first solve for B:
A x 75 = B
A = the % active ingredient (AI) in the fertilizer
B = ppm contained in 1 ounce of the material in 100 gallons of water
Example: Calcium nitrate contains 15% N (0.15 x 75 = 11.25). If 1 ounce of calcium nitrate is dissolved in 100 gallons of water the solution will contain a II. To calculate the number of ounces of material required to make up a desired ppm concentration solve for C:
C = Desired ppm conc. / B
B = ppm contained in 1 ounce of the material in 100 gallons of water (from above).
C = number of ounces of material to add to 100 gallons of water to achieve the desired concentration.
Example: To make up a 250 ppm solution of calcium nitrate first multiply the AI x 75 (.15 x 75 = 11.25). Next divide the desired concentration by 11.25 (250/11.25 = 22). To make up a 250 ppm solution of calcium nitrate you would add 22 ounces to 100 gallons of water.
aproximately 11.25 ppm N.