Divine New Guinea Impatiens

The Divine series of New Guinea Impatiens from PanAmerican Seed is a shade alternative to classic garden impatiens. Unlike I. walleriana, Divine is resistant to Impatiens Downy Mildew. The series has plenty of single varieties supplemented with designer mixes, with vigor to fill 306 packs, pots and baskets with good color. Here are a few production tips to grow the best New Guinea Impatiens for retail or landscape sales.

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Production:

Germination
Stage 1

• Sow 1 seed per cell in 288 or larger trays; light may be beneficial.
• Allow 5 to 8 days, at 77 and 74°F (23-25°C), respectively.
• Moisture Level 5
• Germination is complete at 80 percent radicle emergence.
   

Plug Stage
Stages 2-4

• Cycle moisture levels — constantly saturated media causes rapid stem elongation, and New Guinea Impatiens cannot tolerate wilt.
• Temperature 70 to 74°F (21 to 23°C)
• Cycle moisture levels from 3 to 4. Avoid excess moisture or wilt.
• Feed 50 to 75 ppm N from nitrate form, constant liquid fertilizer. Ensure P at 8-10 ppm constantly. Maintain pH 5.8 to 6.2 & EC 1.0 to 1.5 mS/cm (1:2 extraction).
• For height control at stage 3-4, negative DIF and DROP are also effective for height control. If needed Daminozide spray at 1,250 to 2,500 ppm with follow- up as high as 3,750 ppm (if warranted) or Paclobutrazol spray 0.5-1.0 ppm.
   

Finish Stage

• Finish at ADT of 73°F (23°C). For example, 68 to 76°F (20 to 24°C) days & 65 to 68°F (18 to 20°C) nights. Warmer temperatures hasten flowering, but reduce flower size, while cooler temperatures will delay flowering and increase flower size. Cautions: Flowering is significantly delayed above 85°F (29°C). Do not grow below 57°F (14°C).
• Divine is day-neutral. DLI of ≥10 to 15 moles•m-2•d-1 increases number of flowers and branches per plant.
• Pinching delays flowering and is not required to promote branching.
• Feed plants moderately. Overfeeding leads to lush, leafy plants at the expense of flowers. Feed at 50 to 150 ppm N constant liquid fertilizer; constant 12 to 15 ppm phosphorus. Maintain pH above 5.8, EC below 1.0 mS/cm.
• Height control, if needed: Paclobutrazol spray 2 to 5 ppm. Alternatively a drench at 0.125 to 0.25 ppm can be used but may stunt less vigorous colors. May not need PGRs grown at lower EC, with moisture cycling and negative DIF or DROP.