New Guinea Busy LizzieThe
Plant: The popular summer-flowering outdoor plant, Impatiens
walleriana, has some bolder more vibrant cousins, the New Guinea
hybrids. These are larger, fleshier plants with sturdy stems and
bronze-green foliage. The flowers are larger than the Impatiens
walleriana, and of a more intense colour, deep red or scarlet, shocking
pink, jazzy orange, or white.
Its needs: New Guinea Busy Lizzie hybrids require strong light
but avoid direct sun over summer. Plants will survive in semi-shade but
will quickly become straggly with poorer flowering. A rich potting mix
should be used, with regular watering over summer, but minimal watering
during winter. Warmth and humidity essential for growth. Mist spray
foliage, but not flowers, in hot dry weather.
Care: Use a season-long feed in spring to promote good flowering,
water regularly to maintain turgid appearance. Pinch back early new
growth to make a bushier plant. If an Impatiens has become too straggly
cut back to approximately 5cm from base. New growth should appear a
couple of weeks later. It is easy to grow the New Guinea hybrids from
cuttings. Watch for Botrytis, (grey mould), aphids, and red spider mite.
Good for: The Impatiens, whether the smaller outdoor variety,
which can be grown in a cool conservatory or porch, or the larger New
Guinea hybrids, all make ideal gifts. The vibrancy of the flowers
against the intense lush foliage of the New Guinea hybrids make these
plants quite spectacular. Easy to maintain and uplifting.
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