Expert: C.L. Fornari - 7/4/2008

Question
I have never grown new guinea impatiens,I live in Calif,bay area. Any help would help. Needs of the plant,watering etc.           Thank you...

Answer
New Guinea impatiens need at least two or three hours of direct sun in order to bloom - places that get morning sun and afternoon shade are ideal for these plants. They tolerate more sun than the regular impatiens, but seem to do best in half sun half shade.

Like any annual, they get established quickly and grow best if the ground has been turned so that the soil is loosened - this allows for quick root growth and what goes on underground is mirrored above the soil!  If your soil needs organic matter you can dig in compost or composted manure when you loosen the soil with a shovel.

Also like other annuals, they respond well when either given a time-release fertilizer when planting, or a liquid feed once a month after the plants have been watered well. (Never fertilize a thirsty plant.)

Water all annuals deeply less often - in other words, don't hand water every day. Handwatering only dampens the top two or three inches of the soil (we get bored long before the bed is well watered) which means the plants will be dry again the next day. Frequent, shallow watering also keeps the surface of the soil damp which can cause crown rot. Far better is to put a sprinkler on the bed every four or five days, depending on your weather - water in the morning - most sprinklers take about 2 hours to deliver the equivalent of an inch of rain. Soaker hoses work in the same way. If the bed is mulched or if you have clay soil you might be able to water once every six or seven days.

I hope you enjoy these plants!
C.L.