From my tiny, dormant form, I contain the complete blueprint for a beautiful Impatiens plant. I am alive, but in a state of suspended animation, waiting for the specific environmental cues that signal it is safe to emerge. My hard outer coat protects the precious embryo within. To break this dormancy, I require consistent moisture and warmth. Without these, I will simply remain a seed. The gardener’s first task is to provide these conditions, tricking me into believing it is the warm, moist spring soil time for germination.
I cannot grow in just any dirt. I need a fine, lightweight, and sterile seed-starting mix. Garden soil is far too heavy and likely contains fungi that will attack me before I can even sprout—a condition you call "damping off." The container for my nursery is also crucial. It must have excellent drainage; my nascent roots absolutely despise sitting in water, which suffocates them and encourages rot. A clear plastic dome placed over my tray is wonderful, as it creates a humid, mini-greenhouse environment that keeps my world consistently moist, a critical factor for my successful emergence.
I am very small and possess limited energy reserves. Therefore, I must be planted at just the right depth. If buried too deep, I will exhaust all my energy trying to reach the light and perish. The perfect placement for me is on the surface of the dampened growing medium, gently pressed in for good contact, but not buried. A light dusting of vermiculite or a fine layer of the mix can be sprinkled over me—no more than 1/8 of an inch. This allows light, which I need to germinate, to still reach me while ensuring I don’t dry out. I am then watered gently from below or with a fine mist to avoid dislodging me.
With consistent warmth (around 70-75°F or 21-24°C) and moisture, I will begin to swell and crack open. My first root, called a radicle, will drive downward to anchor me and seek water. Soon after, my seed leaves (cotyledons) will emerge, unfurl, and turn green to begin photosynthesis. This is a vulnerable time. The humidity dome should remain on to prevent my tiny world from drying out, but once the majority of my siblings and I have sprouted, the dome must be removed to allow for air circulation and prevent mold.
As my first true sets of leaves develop—the ones that actually look like Impatiens leaves—my needs change. I require immense amounts of bright, indirect light to grow strong and stocky, not leggy and weak. A south-facing window might suffice, but often I need the help of a grow light placed just a few inches above my leaves for 12-16 hours a day. When I have developed two or three sets of true leaves, I am ready for more space. I need to be carefully transplanted into my own small pot with a richer potting mix. This gives my roots room to expand and access more nutrients.
I have lived my entire life in the protected, calm, indoor environment. The outside world is a shockingly harsh place with wind, fluctuating temperatures, and intense direct sun. To survive transplanting into the garden, I must be gradually acclimated, a process you call "hardening off." This means I am placed outside in a sheltered, shady spot for just a few hours each day, gradually increasing the time and exposure to sunlight and breeze over 7-10 days. This process toughens my foliage and prepares my systems for life outdoors, ensuring I thrive and provide you with beautiful blooms all season long.
