Expert: Mike Mascio - 11/8/2007

Question
I have impatiens that are waist high and have managed to survive several nights of frost. (I covered them at night)
How do I collect the "pods" or "seeds" and how should I store them so I can plant them (and when should I plant them?) for next year?  I live in Southern WI.

Answer
Bettie, I would not recommend propagating impatiens from seed. My reasoning is that most impatiens sold on the market today are hybrids. Hybrids do not propagate "true" from seed. In other words, the offspring will not have the same characteristics as the parent plant. This means different colors and growing habits.

You would be better off purchasing seed from a reputable catalog or from your local nursery. Besides, impatiens seeds are extremely small, almost dust size. Many seed breeders sell the seed as pelletized to aid in sowing.

Attached are the two companies from which I purchase my seed. Simply type impatiens in the search field for a wide selection of impatiens varieties.

http://www.parkseed.com
http://www.burpee.com

Keep in mind that impatiens take long to grow. You should start them in a sterile growing medium 12 weeks prior to your last expected frost. Any starting mix will suffice. They are sold in different size bags and can be found at most garden centers. For more information on starting plants indoors, reference the attached link.

http://www.gardening.cornell.edu/homegardening/scene5bb9.html

Good luck, and please write again if I can ever be of assistance.

Regards,

Mike