Impatiens ready

**chowder** · 03-16-2011, 03:01 PM

Today I transplanted some of my seedlings to cell packs.I always start mine in small mushroom containers,so I can start the most amount of seeds under lights in the house.
Hard to believe I got 132 plants from this container.
Now that they are potted up I take them to the Greenhouse for the day and back in at night.Still have 2 more of these containers and 3 of wave petunias to get moved to cell packs.Big job but so worth it.

**Russ** · 03-16-2011, 03:23 PM

I think you and I are both Zone 5. How much do you heat your greenhouse and could I heat it just at night, and shut the heat off and open a vent before I leave for work at 6:15am?

Those plants look very healthy.

**Darlene** · 03-16-2011, 03:30 PM

Is it hard to seperate them without disturbing the roots too much?
They look so rich and green.

**chowder** · 03-17-2011, 09:28 AM

Originally Posted by Russ

I think you and I are both Zone 5. How much do you heat your greenhouse and could I heat it just at night, and shut the heat off and open a vent before I leave for work at 6:15am?

Those plants look very healthy.

I heat mine only at night and not that much.It is set to come on if it gets down to 40 degrees.I am only starting to put plants out in the day but I will bring them in at night,until I start to get too many.
As long as your heater isn't set too high I think you would be fine.

**chowder** · 03-17-2011, 09:40 AM

Originally Posted by Darlene

Is it hard to seperate them without disturbing the roots too much?
They look so rich and green.

I have no problem separating them.I just break the soil cube into smaller pieces,and gently tease the roots apart,and plant right away,into cell packs.Once they fill the cells I will pot up again to 4 inch pots.By the time I plant in May I have huge plants most in flower.I do everything opposite to what the "experts"say,and the results are great.
I will post pics over the next weeks so you can see the stages and how they progress.This morning all the plants look happy and healthy.

**Trentt** · 03-17-2011, 01:25 PM

I grow impatiens from seed as well; they aren't fussy when transplanted young. Furthermore, once the plants begin to bush out, you can take cuttings with 4 - 6 leaves, stick the cut ends into their own dirt-filled cells or peat pots, and they'll root quickly. It's a great way to end up with loads of patient Lucies.