Busy lizzie [SunPatiens Compact White Improved] Impatiens Sunpatiens Compact White Improved = 'Sakimp027' (PBR) (Sunpatiens Series) (NG)
ABOUT
[SunPatiens Compact White Improved] is a bushy perennial, 35 to 70cm in height, usually grown as an annual. Leaves are dark green, ovate to lanceolate, with toothed leaf margins. White flowers, 3-5cm wide, appear in summer
About this plant
- Names
Synonyms
Sunpatiens, Busy Lizzie, Balsam, Sultana, Touch-me-not, New Guinea Impatiens.
Common names
Impatiens Sunpatiens Compact White Improved = 'Sakimp027'.
- Characteristics
Life cycle
Annuals
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Spread
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
10
Native area
Southeast Asia
Benefits
- General Benefits
- Continuous Blooming: The plant flowers continuously from spring to first frost, providing a long season of interest.
- Disease Resistance: It is resistant to many common plant diseases, reducing the need for chemical treatments.
- Heat Tolerance: Well-suited to hot climates, it can thrive even in the heat of summer where other plants might falter.
- Sun Tolerance: As part of the Sunpatiens series, this plant can tolerate full sun exposure without suffering from sunburn.
- Versatility: It is suitable for a variety of garden settings, including beds, borders, and containers.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care, making it ideal for busy gardeners or those new to gardening.
- Vibrant Color: Offers bright white flowers that can lighten up any garden space and contrast well with other plants.
- Rapid Growth: It has a fast growth rate, quickly filling in garden spaces and providing instant impact.
- Attracts Pollinators: Flowers attract butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects, supporting local ecosystems.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it has a degree of drought tolerance, making it more resilient during dry spells.
- Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
- Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
- Other Uses
- Photography backdrop: The bright white flowers of Sunpatiens can serve as a natural and contrasting backdrop for macro or portrait photography, enhancing the subject's features.
- Educational tool: Horticulture students and enthusiasts can use Sunpatiens to study hybrid plant development, care, and propagation techniques.
- Art inspiration: The striking white flowers can inspire artists, providing a subject for drawing, painting, or digital art creations.
- Wedding decor: Sunpatiens can be incorporated into wedding arrangements or used to decorate venues for a touch of natural elegance.
- Stress relief: Caring for Sunpatiens can offer a form of relaxation and stress relief as one nurtures and watches them grow.
- Feng Shui enhancement: Some believe that white flowers like Sunpatiens bring positive energy and can be used to improve the flow of chi in homes and gardens.
- Natural dye: The flowers and leaves can be explored for their potential to create natural dyes for fabrics or crafts.
- Living gifts: Potted Sunpatiens make thoughtful and lasting gifts for friends and loved ones on special occasions.
- Culinary decoration: Although not edible, the flowers can be used to decorate food platters or tables for special dining events, adding a touch of natural beauty.
- Garden companion planting: Sunpatiens can be used in companion planting schemes to create aesthetically pleasing garden designs and to benefit neighboring plants by attracting pollinators.
Interesting Facts
- Feng Shui
The Impatiens is not used in Feng Shui practice.
- Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Impatiens is not used in astrology practice.
- Plant Symbolism
- Patient Expectation: As impatiens are often referred to as "impatient," they can ironically symbolize the anticipation and eagerness one might feel while being patient for a certain event or outcome.
- Delicate Love: The gentle appearance of the white flowers is often associated with the tenderness and purity of affection, signifying a pure and delicate form of love.
- Motherly Love: The nurturing and protective nature of mothers is reflected in the growth habit of Impatiens, offering a nurturing presence similar to a mother's care.
- Peace and Tranquility: The color white commonly signifies peace and tranquility, which the White Improved impatiens echo with their soothing white blooms.
- Water
SunPatiens require regular watering to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water the plant thoroughly when the top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch. Typically, this might mean watering approximately once every 2 to 3 days during hot and dry conditions, but less frequently during cooler, cloudy, or rainy periods. It's important to adjust watering based on rainfall and temperature. An average-sized SunPatiens in a pot may require around 16 ounces of water every few days during peak summer heat, with adjustments made for rainfall and changes in temperature.
- Light
SunPatiens are tolerant of a wide range of light conditions but flourish best in locations that receive partial to full sunlight. The ideal spot would receive morning sunlight and some afternoon shade, particularly in hot climates where intense afternoon sun can stress the plant. They can handle full sun but may need extra water to cope with the increased heat and light intensity.
- Temperature
SunPatiens are best suited to warm temperatures and are typically grown as annuals. They thrive in a temperature range of 60 to 90°F, making them suitable for summer gardens in most regions. They can tolerate higher temperatures if they are well watered. The minimum temperature for SunPatiens should not drop below 32°F, as they are not frost-tolerant and will suffer damage or die if exposed to freezing conditions.
- Pruning
SunPatiens benefit from regular pruning to encourage bushier growth and more blooms. Pinch back the tips of the plants every few weeks during the growing season to stimulate branching. Prune any leggy or overgrown stems to maintain shape and size. The best time for major pruning is early spring, just before new growth begins.
- Cleaning
As needed
- Soil
For the Impatiens Sunpatiens, the best soil mix is well-draining, rich in organic matter with a pH ranging from 6.0 to 7.5. A mix of peat moss, compost, and perlite or vermiculite is ideal for container growing to ensure proper moisture retention and aeration.
- Repotting
Impatiens Sunpatiens should be repotted annually or when the plant becomes root-bound. Check the roots in early spring and repot into a slightly larger container with fresh soil to encourage healthy growth.
- Humidity & Misting
Impatiens Sunpatiens thrive in moderate to high humidity levels, ideally between 50% and 70%. They can tolerate lower humidity but may require more frequent watering to compensate for increased moisture loss.
- Suitable locations
Indoor
Place in bright, indirect light; keep soil moist.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade, water regularly, and protect from wind.
Hardiness zone
10-11 USDA
- Life cycle
The Impatiens SunPatiens Compact White Improved, commonly known as Sunpatiens, begins its life cycle as a seed, which when sown and provided with the right conditions, germinates into a young seedling. The seedling grows into a vegetative plant, developing a robust root system, sturdy stems, and foliage. As it matures, the Sunpatiens enters the flowering stage, characterized by the production of large, white blooms that are resistant to harsh sun and heat conditions. After pollination, which is often aided by insects, the plant sets seed, completing its reproductive cycle. When environmental conditions become unfavorable or the plant reaches the end of its natural lifespan, typically within a single growing season, it enters a senescence phase resulting in the cessation of growth and eventual death. However, Sunpatiens can be grown as an annual in cooler climates or as a perennial in warmer areas where it can continue its cycle for several years if conditions permit.
- Propogation
Propogation time
Spring to Summer
The most popular method of propagation for Impatiens SunPatiens Compact White Improved is through stem cuttings. This involves cutting a healthy stem of about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) long, just below a leaf node, where the concentration of growth hormones is high. The cut end of the stem is then dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root development and planted in a well-draining soil mix. After planting, the cutting should be watered thoroughly and placed in a warm area with indirect sunlight. High humidity can be maintained by covering the cutting with a clear plastic bag, which will help prevent moisture loss. Roots usually develop within a few weeks, after which the new plant can be gradually acclimatized to less humid conditions before being transplanted to its final location.