Impatiens & Petunias

Hi All. Just 2-3 questions please. Last year as we all know Busy Lizzie was in short supply or to be honest nonexistent around our area. I managed to purchase some Impatiens and they grew fantastic. The only problem was I did not keep the label. They bloomed right through summer till late November. All I can say is the leaves were more long like a sword and dark rather than the smaller round leaves of normal B.L.
I have looked on web but as yet cannot see really any impatiens with this shaped leaf. To tell a lie I have just looked up an Impatiens Wallerana which has the type of leaf my plant had. I wish to grow them by seed so any suggestions as to what to buy.
Petunias. I want to grow some petunias from seed this year but am reading conflicting reports as to when to sow them so they are ready to plant out in June. I will start seeds off in a heated propagator them move small plants to a warm sunny place indoors or greenhouse. There was something else I wanted to ask but my mind has gone completely blank, something my wife says is a permanent state!!
Thanks to all for your help

 

Impatiens I am not sure about but think its a new Guinea variety thats ok to grow. I grew petunias last year and experimented with different ways of sewing. For me it was in 12 cells and thinned out as required. I used a heated propogator and grew on in my conservatory before transfering to the polytunnel in may. Plants were also transplanted to 4" pots before going into hanging baskets.

 

I haven't had much luck with impatiens, so therefore can't really help you with those. Petunias can be sown mid to late March.

 

Thanks for your info JulieD and Sheal.You have cracked it with the New Guinea Impatiens,that is the type I was looking for.
Time scale for the petunias is also a big help.Thank you

 

If you decide to grow N G Impatiens from seed, they will need a higher germination (25c) and growing on temperature (particularly nights min 13c) than the standard mildew prone Impatiens.
New Guinea Imps (which have been around for about 12 years) are sometimes prone to collapse if the roots get too wet during the growing on period.

 

Hello Trogre , your standard Bizzie Lizzie is a no no at the moment due to the powdery mildew. See article below. A great loss , hopefully they will develop resistant strains.
The New Guinea , and Sunpatiens are superb plants , but as Strongy advises above are difficult from seed . Following his advice I gave my packet of NG seeds away , always listen to the voice of experience
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/jan/17/busy-lizzies-mildew

 

Harry, the first time I had to grow NG Imps from seed it was 500 for Parks bedding and didn't give them the temperature requirements needed and they were retarded and late developing. I switched to plugs as soon as they became available. Last amount two years ago now( that long ago?) was 2,500.
Seems strange now not having to think about bedding programming.