Impatiens New Guinea 10cm Vase

Impatiens New Guinea is a perennial herbaceous plant, often cultivated as an annual, evergreen, which reaches a height of about 40 cm and a width of 25 cm. It is distinguished by its lanceolate leaves and simple or double blooms, rich and abundant, which shine continuously from April to October in white, pink, red or mottled varieties. It belongs to the Balsaminaceae family, which includes only one other genus, not used as an ornamental plant. The genus Impatiens includes hundreds of species and many varieties, including the New Guinea group.

📜 Origin of the Name

The botanical name of the genus refers to the "impatience" of its seeds: it is enough to touch the ovary that contains them to make them splash out, as if they were impatient to find soil to germinate. The name of the variety is linked to the area of origin of the Impatiens hawkeri species, from which these hybrids derive.

🌱 CARE

💧 Little attention, great results: A little care is enough to grow this magnificent plant: it is very tolerant and resistant and will find a perfect place in your home. Managing it is very simple, generally these are "self-cleaning" plants: they get rid of withered petals on their own and the foliage always remains compact and beautiful for many months.

🪴 Immediate repotting: After purchase, it is advisable to repot the plant as soon as possible in a container one or two sizes larger, or to combine several specimens in bowls or boxes. Use a high-quality potting soil specifically designed for flowering plants.

🚿 Regular watering: To get the best out of it, you need to be regular with watering, which must be daily in summer, especially for plants exposed to the sun. The soil must not dry out, but it is good to prevent it from remaining soaked with water for a long time. To promote drainage and avoid water stagnation at the root level, create a layer of expanded clay marbles at the bottom of the container.

🧪 Fertilization: We recommend fertilizing your New Guinea every 7 to 10 days throughout its flowering period, as it is a plant that uses a lot of energy to maintain it.

🌻 CULTIVATION

📐 Size and use: They are generally small plants, ideal for bowls and borders; they last a very long time in full bloom and, not infrequently towards mid-summer, they form "cushion" beds, large and very generous with flowers that only the autumn frost will stop.

☀️ Exposure: It prefers to live outdoors. It tolerates the sun well, preferably filtered, but it also adapts to bright shade. The lack of light can cause it to lose the effect of a flowery "cushion".

🌡️ Temperature: It likes temperatures above 18°C, but in autumn it can often tolerate very cool temperatures, ending its life cycle with the first frosts.

🌿 Versatility: Ideal in all conditions, for balconies and gardens, even in combination with other plants with the same needs, such as Coleus, Vinca, Marigold, Torenia and small ferns. It is not afraid of intense and muggy heat and is among the few plants that do not slow down flowering even in the hottest periods.

🚫 Problems and Remedies:

The plant is weak and blooms little: A pot that is too small, poor soil or too little light are likely to cause. Repot with high-quality potting soil, fertilize regularly and move in full light or in the sun.

Grey mould at the base of the stems: Too humid and muggy environment. Move to a sunnier position (even if only in the morning) and treat with a fungicide.

Pale leaves, with very thin cobwebs underneath: Red spider mite attack. Treat with a specific insecticide and create more ambient humidity.

✨ Curiosity and Meaning

🗺️ A pest relative: The Impatiens glandulifera species, of Asian origin, has spread almost everywhere in Europe, becoming a pest; in Italy it also grows on Alpi and the Apennines up to 1200 m above sea level.

💡 Symbolism: In the language of flowers, the Impatiens expresses the ability and willingness to be self-sufficient and efficient in life and work; it is also a symbol of intelligence.