It’s Time to Go PRIME: Creating the Next Generation of Hybrid Impatiens

Introducing SOL LUNA PRIME™

The main goal of our breeding programs at Danziger is to create varieties that are more efficient for growers while still maintaining a beautiful, retail-ready plant that draws home gardeners in. We don’t take the term ‘breakthrough’ lightly. That’s why we’re so excited about SOL LUNA PRIME™  Hybrid Impatiens. This series truly embodies breakthrough genetics. It is revolutionizing the hybrid impatiens growing experience by offering a shorter cycle, earlier bloom and outstanding uniformity across the colors. Best of all, it delivers the wow factor and flexibility home gardeners need to encourage purchase.

SOL LUNA PRIME™ blooms up to seven days earlier. Finishing early gives growers shipping flexibility and a jump start on the season. This series is also exceptionally uniform across all six colors. In addition to shipping advantages, this means garden centers can create stunning displays in a rainbow of colors that will stand out at retail. It also adapts well to varying weather conditions with outstanding wilting recovery, which can prolong its shelf life.

This series features a mounded, well-branched and uniform habit. It performs well in quarts, gallons or hanging baskets, flowering abundantly in six colors including Light Salmon, Orchid, Peach, Pearl, Red and White.

SOL LUNA PRIME’s flexibility and adaptability also brings great performance to home gardeners. This series thrives in both sun and shade, taking the guess work out of where to place it in the garden. Its mounded habit keeps it from getting leggy and bare, creating beautiful containers, hanging baskets and landscape displays that look good all season long.

“Many home gardeners don’t fully understand light requirements,” says Lisa Heredia, marketing and key accounts at Danziger. “Providing them with a colorful, flexible hybrid impatiens series opens up planting opportunities and makes them feel more successful in the garden. As we all know, successful gardeners become repeat customers.”

Here are few tips for growing this innovative new hybrid impatiens series.

Propagation Tips for SOL LUNA PRIME™ hybrid impatiens

It is recommended to stick SOL LUNA PRIME™ hybrid impatiens on priority. This series is priority number 3 out of 4 categories. We recommend spraying Adjuvant at sticking. To reset flower response, spray Ethephon at 300 ppm the day after sticking. One hour of Ethephon on the leaves is sufficient. Maintain an average daily temperature of 70° F.

Average growth time is 4 weeks. Be sure to monitor and keep pH levels between 6.0 and 6.5

Rooting tips

Week 1- Keep temperatures between 72° and 74° F.  EC level should be at 0.50. No feeding is required this week. Apply fungicide the day of sticking.

Week 2- Similar to week 1, be sure to keep temperatures between 72° and 74°. No feeding is required at this time. Apply your second fungicide application.

Weeks 3- Keep temperatures between 72° and 74° and plants should be off mist by this time. EC should be .50 to .70. Feed if necessary, at 80 ppm N.

Weeks 4- Drop temperatures to between 70° and 72°. Keep EC levels at .80 to no more then .90 and fertilize at 80 ppm N in mist. Pinching is not recommended.

Finishing Tips

Average finishing time from liners is 7 to 8 weeks. We recommend maintaining a low EC level for proper growth and sizing of each SOL LUNA PRIME™ variety. Liners can be transplanted when plants are rooted and actively growing.

As with all hybrid impatiens, SOL LUNA PRIME™ responds to temperature to grow and flower. Grow warm to finish faster at an average of 72° for maximum growth. Growing cooler can be done but will add time. SOL LUNA PRIME™ does not require any pinching and is daylength neutral. From weeks 7-8 fertilization should be at 80 to 125 ppm N to maintain EC at no more than 1.0.

Growth Regulators

If you require a plant growth regulator, we recommend .10 or 1 tenth of 1ppm Paclobutrazol as a light drench application early. A Paclobutrazol drench can be used at .25 to  0.5 ppm as needed for finishing.

Soil and Water

Be sure to maintain a ph of 6.0 to 6.2 in irrigation water. Water and feed as needed.

Monitoring your water is key for just about any crop. Knowing the pH of your water can help you make the right decisions about additives.

Impatiens transpire readily (cool themselves). Added humidity at night can help them perceive the correct temperature and finish on schedule. This can be achieved by watering later and wetting walkways in the evening. A dry environment can lead to added grow time.

Light

SOL LUNA PRIME is daylength neutral.

Pest and Disease Control

If you’re experiencing aphid or thrips concerns, pests can be controlled by common insecticides. For aphids, we recommend applying Acetamiprid, Flonicamid, Imidacloprid or Dichlorvos. For Thrips, Methiocarb, Acrinathrin, Abamectin, Dichlorvos or Spinosad can be used.

For Botrytis, Cyprodinil+Fludioxonil, Iprodione or Polyoxin can be used. Pythium and Phytophthora can be controlled with Propamocarb.

We recommend spraying a broad-spectrum fungicide after transplanting.

As with any crop, paying attention to the small details with hybrid impatiens can make a big difference.