From our perspective as Impatiens plants, confined to the limited world of a pot, our entire sustenance depends on you. Our roots cannot forage far and wide in search of nutrients; they are entirely reliant on the soil mix and the fertilizer you provide. We require a balanced diet to support our primary functions: vigorous blooming, lush leaf production, and strong stem growth. Therefore, we thrive best on a fertilizer with equal or near-equal parts of the three key macronutrients: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K). A formula labeled 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 is ideal. Nitrogen keeps our foliage green and abundant, Phosphorus is absolutely crucial for developing our vibrant flowers and a strong root system, and Potassium ensures our overall health, aiding in disease resistance and efficient water use.
Our delicate, fibrous root systems are easily damaged by strong, concentrated chemicals. For this reason, we greatly prefer a gentle, consistent feeding approach. Water-soluble fertilizers, diluted to half or a quarter of the recommended strength, are perfect. This allows for nutrients to be readily available without the risk of burning our roots. Alternatively, a slow-release granular fertilizer mixed into the potting soil at planting time is an excellent choice. These tiny, coated prills release nutrients gradually every time we are watered, providing a steady, low-level diet that mimics a more natural environment and prevents the feast-or-famine cycle that can stress us.
Our nutritional needs change with our growth stages and the seasons. Please follow this schedule for our mutual benefit. Begin feeding us in early spring, as the days lengthen and we enter our active growth phase. For water-soluble fertilizer, a bi-weekly (every two weeks) feeding at a diluted strength is perfect. During our peak flowering period in the heat of summer, when we are expending immense energy to produce countless blooms, you may increase this to a weekly diluted feeding to support this demanding effort. It is vital to always apply this fertilizer to moist soil; applying it to dry soil can shock our root system.
As the days shorten and temperatures drop in late autumn, our growth naturally slows dramatically. We begin to enter a period of dormancy to conserve energy. During this time, our nutrient requirements plummet to almost zero. Continuing to fertilize us is not only wasteful but actively harmful. It can force us into weak, spindly growth that is susceptible to disease and pests, and the unused salts can build up in the potting mix, damaging our roots. Therefore, you must completely cease fertilization for several months throughout the winter, allowing us the rest we need to gather strength for the next blooming season.
