Assuming that Impatiens balfouri is like the other impatiens (and I believe it is), the secret to collecting seeds is to stand about 10' away with a catcher's
mitt, LOL! Really...it's one of those with "explosive" seeds, so to speak. I imagine fastening a bag over some almost-ripe seedheads would do the trick though.

I discovered on a sunny, hottish day earlier this summer that Euphorbia myrsinites is that way too...after wondering for a while what all the "popping" sounds were, and noticing little black missiles shooting around!

Missiles . . . that reminds me of an experience too!

Some of you may know that witchhazel also has exploding capsules. I gathered some unopened ones one year and had them in a paper bag on the table. Not quite as loud, but when they started to dehisce it sounded like popcorn popping. The odd one would bore a hole through the bag and escape, continuing accross the room. And the seeds really do look like tiny torpedoes!

Rick

LOL, those plants should come with a warning.

So I checked my impatiens balfouri and it did indeed have seed pods, they resemble tiny peas or tiny beans.

I touched one pod that looked full and jumped back when the thing exploded. I really didn't think it was ripe enough to explode.

So, I then got an envelope and saved some of the seeds. Half of them shot out and on the ground. We will see if the seeds that hit the ground germinate next spring, that is, survive winter.

My hybrid impatiens have a seed pod as well. I will have to keep an eye on that one if it's ripe enough to split.

Thanks for your help,

Glen

They self sow, you should have them coming up all over..
I had them coming up in the cracks of the side walk..
then transplanted the where I want't them.. They grow great in gravel too..

I have this plant and wow the family was over yesterday and they were impressed at the exploding seed pods, impressive. My plants flower, but are much more leafy than showy with flower; they must be at least 5 feet tall. People are constantly asking what is that plant.
I didn't think that impatients were to get that tall and leafy?

gardenlady