Hmmm....well....I don't know.....

New Guinea are short, bushy plants (let me qualify that - lush, healthy New Guinea are bushy plants), they don't spread/trail in the same manner as regular impatiens do, so you may not get the same effect as you would using regular impatiens or an annual of that ilk. Then again, if the New Guinea are happy, you'd have a bushy bag of very large flowers. So I suppose it depends on the overall look you prefer.

Have you thought about Browallia? Similar to impatiens, but a little different, and has a lovely range of blue/purples that impatiens doesn't have.

Thought I post a link to browallia in case anyone's interested

Here is a link that might be useful: browallia

I actually think I had this conversation with you before - I did buy some browallia (because I believe my yard is PERFECT for it). But I'm looking for something consistant... The bags with imps DIE in the sun... and I'd really like to use New Guineas to fill that in (if I can get them to germinate - I have a pal that said they were a nightmare to germ and grow from seed). Anyone have ANY experience with the pouches/bags?? and if so, new guineas??????

I have not tried the New Guineas in a flower pouch, I always thought they were too big. I have used the regular Impatients in previous years, they looked great but were real water guzzlers. This year, I am trying Verbena in one bag, begonias in another, and a combination of begonias and coleus in the third. I've used the begonias before and they did very well.

Okay, you opened yourself up for my opinion on growing New Guinea when you mentioned your friend's opinion.....

I agree. A pain. And not worth it. Oh, you might end up with decent plants - by the end of the growing season. IMO you're much better off buying the plants. Yea, they're pricey - but worth it! I like to start with 4" pots, by the end of the growing season they're HUGE lush plants covered with blooms. No way no how would I ever get that effect from first-year seedlings.

Now, you could do cuttings - you'd get much faster/better results from cuttings, and not very hard to do. I'd definitely choose that route over seeds. Don't know if you can find any NG plants this time of year to take the cuttings, but you could look in the potted flower section of the local nursery. If not, keep it in mind for next year (i.e. bring a plant or two indoors for the winter and then take cuttings when it's time).

Around here, 6-packs of smaller NG plants are usually offered during the season, which isn't too bad of a deal if you want a lot of them, perhaps going this route would be more feasible if you want to stay within a certain budget.

Oh man!!! (whining here) MXK3, I bought all this seed! What do you suggest!??? May be start them now instead of later?? Jeez! Thanks so much for your suggestion! Much appreciated!

Oh, geez, it's been years and years since I fooled around with those, so I can't remember when I started or any details.

I would guess you'd have to get them started now.

Hey, give it a try - you never know what might happen, they might be okay for what you want. Plus, even if you don't think they're big enough for the bags, just grow them somewhere else and take cuttings for next year, or pot up to larger sizes, bring indoors and there you have a head start for next year.

I'm just partial to the large, lusty pots of NG...with a not-too-long growing season they need to be voluptous right from the get-go or I'm just not going to be happy.

(and darn it - I think you're really going to like the Browallia!!)

I'll hop to it this now. I'm trying to decide if I should use my heat mats. I stopped using them with the regular imps and I got better germ rates - I wonder if these guys like it warmer than regular imps. Huh. Things to contemplate.

I'm sure I will like the browallia... I hope... I don't like wasting space on something that doesn't work out. I'm sure it'll be fine.

Thanks so much for the advise!

Started them last weekend - (the new guineas) and they actually look like they're germinating quite well! I'm shocked! I'll keep you posted!

Ok, I haven't got much of an answer regarding New Guineas in a pot! Even tried the other impatien forum. Does anyone have any experience/advice?

MXK3 - I started the imps on the 9th... and they're germinating like mad... I hope they keep on going!! Got a couple of pictures (yes, I'm very visual!)

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I'm pretty happy with this! What do you think????

Thanks!

Hey, those are coming along nicely!

What did I miss - something about NG in a pot?

I know! I'm completely SHOCKED at how good they look!!! I'd say they're germinating at at least 85% right now! I hope they keep trucking along.

NG in a pouch/bag is what I meant to say... but I'm going to try it... no one seems to have tried it (I imagine there's probably a REASON, but I'm going to go for it)... if I get enough that move along to maturity.

Thanks for the help, MXK3.

Much appreciated...

I'm truly interested at watching how your new guinea impatiens come out. I have a number of shady areas in my yard and I'm surrounded by fences, so I would love to grow some impatiens in grow bags to hang on my fence and also plant some in my shade garden that surrounds my flag pole. However, I've heard from a number of people that I'd be better off purchasing the imps from a local garden center rather then trying to grow them from seed due to the time they take to really take off.

I winter sow most of my annuals and perennials and I think that impatiens might be the one flower I invest money in this year.

Did you grow your imps last year from seed or did you purchase them from a garden center? I've seen the photos of them along your fence, they are gorgeous. I only hope that I can get that much growth in one season from mine.

Linda

Ok, update on the new guineas - miracle...

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Seem to be doing okay... PSYCHED!

Linda, what do you have for growing from seed? Lights? Are you interested in New Guineas or the regular imps? (sorry I'm no good with the Latin :))

Let me know,

Thanks!

Those seedlings are looking great! I think you may end up proving your friend and I wrong......

What kind of tray are the seedlings growing in??

They look great!

Ok, a lesson learned! I took the dome off and removed the seedlings from the heat mat... They STOPPED growing - like suspended animation, baby ! Last night I put the dome back on and put them on a heat mat - and wham they've already started to bounce back and recover! It was like they just stopped for a few days and just resumed they're growth! I should be in good shape!

CrystalGeorgia - The seed troth... I bought about 5-6 of them probably 6 years ago... they're 1/2 inch deep, have 20 'troths' and fit into a standard 10X20 tray. I kick myself every year for not buying the whole stack! I've ordered them from wholesalers, I've gone back to the store where I got them, I check everywhere for them... either they can't be found OR they are a CHEAP imitation. They're the best little seeding supply I have... really. If you can find them - buy them up chop-chop. I love them.

:)

100% germination... :)

Update: germinating but not moving a whole heck of a lot! But it's something!

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Some seem a lot slower than others - kinda sporatic germination...

3-10-08 some are getting their first true leaf... I took the dome off even though some don't seem to be popping up - very sporatic growth and germination on these guys... I have moved them away from the lights and they're in a window now (with a sheer curtain over it).

I'll try and take another picture soon.

Pictures 3/5/08

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3/11/08

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seem to be doing better and better everyday. I have them out of the artificial light and have been starting to introduce them to the light from the window.

Hi Tom, sorry for not answering your question sooner, I've been a bit under the weather lately. Anyway, I have Imp seeds from Burpee but have decided not to winter sow them. I've spoken with a few people who have in the past and although some of them had pretty good germination, it really took a while for them to take off. Then there were some who had no luck at all with germination.

I've decided that I will just purchase a tray of imps when they show up at the local garden centers or Home Depot. As far as growing bags, is there a specific place that sells them at a decent price or is the price the same for the most part everywhere?

Now I need to make a decision on where I want to place the grow bags!

Linda

Linda-

Glad your feeling well enough - too bad you were under the weather - lots of stuff going around this time of year.

I'm unclear now, are you buying New Guineas or are you buying regular imps?

Either way - the holes that are in the bags are very small and it would be difficult to get a full size plant in the holes. I had very small root systems last year (with the regular imps) and it was still a PITA to get them into the bags! PITA, but not impossible. If you had plants in a regular flat, I would think it would be just that much more difficult... But you can see.

Ok, did you buy new guinea seed from burpee or the regular imps? New guineas I understand are difficult to germinate and very slow growing - but I'm a glutton for punishment... :) So I'm giving it a whirl - they do seem to be a lot less vigorous than the other imps. I got a good germination rate though.

The price of the bags vary greatly. I've seen them for $10 with no soil, flowers, nothing! Which is a complete rip off! I buy them from Griffins Nursery Supply - they're in Tewksbury (I see your in MA). They're around $.80 at Griffins. You have to buy 25 - for $20... I think they have a web site - Griffins.com. You can open a cash account (not a business account). There were a few people that I heard about buying the bags on line - if they're more than a buck or two - I wouldn't get them - its a plastic BAG!!! Mark up is ridiculous - it's a bag!

Theres also a 'saddle bag' that flops over a railing or deck where there are flowers on each side - four slits... just FYI.

Last year I gave away several - one person couldn't find a place for the bags - so she put them back to back and hung them from a tree. It was beautiful - they looked like a long hanging plant/basket... they really looked nice.

All this being said - I should get to the point. I'm nervous about the new guineas in a bag - they grow differently than the other imps - but I have the supplies to monkey around with it... THere has to be a REASON why no one has tried this - and if they have tried it - it might have been a complete bust... so I'm not putting all my eggs in one basket.

Are you looking to put the bags in sun or shade? Thompson and Morgan - I noticed the other day - actually list plants in their catalog that are suitable for bags! So you might want to take a look at their catalog - their free, or on line...

Also before you take on doing these - I learned a few things last year that I'll pass on to you... when your ready - I have the tendancy to be a little long winded if you haven't already noticed! :)

Take care!

I'm a newbie at gardening, so bear with me. This year I bought a growing bag with impatiens in it. It was absolutely beautiful when I bought it. I have it hanging on the north side of the house where it get's the most shade. Unfortunately it hasn't flourished. The flowers are not as dense, and many of the leaves are yellow. Help, what am I doing wrong? Thank you

Linda - FYI: Burpee seeds SUCK! Off the rack they are fine in my experience (specifically, vegetable seeds) but I've had terrible luck with seeds from the catalog, and I have a fair amount of seed sowing experience under my belt. I've received packets of impatiens seeds from Burpee where a lot of the seeds are broken and/or have the skins peeling off - garbage! (yes, I've complained and gotten my money back). I've tried to germinate Burpee impatiens seeds (the seeds that were intact, that is...) with so-so results.

I now order the bulk of my seeds from Stokes - and highly recommend them. I get great germination from their seeds, impatiens included, and never have had a problem with damaged seeds. Much better selection at Stokes, too.

Mrsgym: Perhaps you're watering too much or the bag has poor drainage or soil that is too heavy/not draining well? Yellowing leaves is a classic sign of too much water.

Also could be due to crowding. I don't like to purchase pre-planted stuff for that reason - growers pack all they can in a basket/bag so it looks full and lush for sale, but they tend to peter out over the season because conditions are too crowded and thus competition for water and nutrients. I plant my own pots from plants I grow myself or purchase - it's actually less expensive that way, anyway, pots can be re-used (I'm partial to pottery as opposed to plastic, but you can just rinse out the plastic at the end of the season, store, and re-plant next year).

My sister gets around the problem by buying a large hanging basket then gently taking it apart when she gets home and planting half of it into another empty hanging basket - essentially two for the price of one.

MXK3 is totally right the ones that you buy pre-done are so jam packed full that within weeks they need a transplant! :) You could also try to move them to another location with SOME sun... and see if it makes a difference.