From my perspective as an impatiens seed, my journey begins with warmth and moisture. I am tiny, so I require a very fine, soft, and consistently moist seed-starting mix to awaken. Do not bury me deeply; I need light to germinate. A gentle press into the surface of the soil is all that is required. My ideal environment is a warm one, between 70-75°F (21-24°C), and a plastic dome covering my tray is greatly appreciated, as it holds in the humidity that softens my coat and signals it is time to grow. This cozy, misty world is my incubator.
Once I sprout, my first delicate leaves, called cotyledons, emerge. They are not true leaves but are essential for my initial photosynthesis. The plastic dome must now be removed to prevent damping-off, a fungal disease that would end my life. I am still incredibly vulnerable. I crave bright, indirect light; a south-facing window or, even better, a grow light positioned just a few inches above me will prevent me from becoming weak and leggy as I stretch towards the light source. My roots are fine and need careful watering—a gentle mist or bottom watering is best to keep my medium moist but not waterlogged.
Soon, my true leaves will appear, looking like miniature versions of my mature foliage. This is a sign that I am growing stronger and my root system is expanding. When I have developed two to three sets of these true leaves, it will be time for me to move to a larger home. This process, which you call "pricking out," must be done with the utmost care. Hold me only by my leaves, never my fragile stem. Gently tease my roots apart and transplant me into my own small pot filled with a quality potting mix. This gives my roots the space they need to develop properly.
I have been living in the comfort of a controlled indoor climate. The outside world, with its wind and fluctuating temperatures, is a shock I am not prepared for. To ensure I thrive and don't perish from the stress, I must be gradually introduced to these new conditions. This is called "hardening off." Over 7-10 days, please place me in a sheltered, shady spot outdoors for a few hours each day, gradually increasing my exposure to sunlight and breeze. Bring me back inside at night. This process slowly toughens my foliage and strengthens my stem, preparing me for permanent life outdoors.
Once all danger of frost has passed and the nights are consistently warm, I am ready for my final planting. I thrive in rich, well-draining soil and prefer a location with partial to full shade. The direct afternoon sun is too intense for me and will cause my leaves to scorch and my blooms to suffer. Space me according to my variety, typically 8 to 12 inches apart, so my roots have room to grow and my foliage can spread without crowding. Water me deeply after planting to help settle the soil around my roots and reduce transplant shock.
