Noble lilies found their way into our gardens and living spaces from New Guinea. With their bright colors, Impatiens New Guinea decorate cool, low-light locations. The following answers to frequently asked questions will show you how to keep the exotic beauties happy from spring to autumn.
How do you properly care for noble lilies?
Edellieschen (Impatiens New Guinea) require a bright to partially shaded location, regular watering with soft water and fertilization every 1-2 weeks. Remove wilted flowers regularly and make sure that the plants grow in humus-rich, nutrient-rich soil with a slightly acidic pH value.
Planting noble lilies correctly
Professional planting makes a significant contribution to ensuring that the colorful flower festival lasts from spring to autumn. In mid-May, dig a planting hole with 1.5 times the volume of the root ball in a partially shaded location. This remains in lime-free water until no more air bubbles appear. Enrich the excavation with a little compost and a handful of peat or, better yet, rhododendron soil, which acts as an acidic component. Place the potted young plant so deeply into the fresh soil that the previous planting depth is maintained. After you have watered with soft water, a mulch layer of leaves or grass clippings creates the best conditions for rapid growth.read more
Care tips
Impatiens New Guinea become the main protagonist on the summer garden stage if they are given this care:
- Watering regularly with soft water without causing waterlogging
- Fertilize liquidly every 1 to 2 weeks from May to the end of September
- Clean out wilted flowers every 1 to 2 days
As a rule, hobby gardeners cultivate Impatiens New Guinea as an annual in order to establish new young plants every May. However, overwintering in a bright location is possible as long as the temperatures are around 15 degrees Celsius. Only water enough to prevent the root ball from drying out. Fertilization will no longer be carried out from October onwards. In March/April, cut the plant back by half to two thirds, increase the amount of watering and start supplying nutrients.read more
Which location is suitable?
The choice of location largely determines the extent to which an Impatiens New Guinea showcases its velvety flowers over shiny green foliage. Look for a bright to partially shaded spot in the bed and on the balcony that is not exposed to direct sunlight. There should also be no Egyptian darkness at the location, because vital photosynthesis would come to a standstill. On the windowsill, the Edellieschen feels comfortable in the west, east or north window.read more
The correct planting distance
Impatiens New Guinea come into their own decoratively in balcony boxes and large pots if they are planted at a distance of 20 cm. When planted in the bed, the distance can be a little more generous. A minimum distance of 25 cm is considered appropriate here.
What soil does the plant need?
Planted out in the bed, Impatiens New Guinea happily spread their roots in humus-rich, nutritious and well-drained soil. On the balcony and windowsill, the summer flowers thrive in compost-based potting soil enriched with expanded clay or lava granules. Ideally the pH value fluctuates between 5.5 and 6.8.
What is the best time to plant?
Considering the minimum temperature of 12-14 degrees Celsius, mid-May is the earliest date for planting in the bed. Be patient until the Ice Saints mark the end of the frosty season, because even a single frosty night inevitably means the end of a noble tree. In the balcony box or pot, the starting signal for the season can be given as early as April, as long as the Impatiens New Guinea can spend the nights in a warm room.
Cut sweethearts correctly
Impatiens New Guinea should be trimmed once or twice when they are just a few weeks old. If you cut off the shoot tips with sharp scissors, your effort will be rewarded with an extra bushy habit. During the flowering period, regular cleaning of wilted flowers is the top priority in order to make room for subsequent blooms. You get to work in a drastic way after wintering when all shoots are cut off by up to two thirds of their length.
Water noble flowers
The hybrid name Impatiens New Guinea already indicates its tropical origin. Accordingly, the Edellieschen requires moist, warm cultivation, which is guaranteed as part of an adequate water supply. Water the summer flower as soon as the substrate surface feels dry. The exotic flower beauty will thank you when it is pampered with soft water. Thanks to this caution, the pH value of the soil can be maintained at the optimal, slightly acidic level.
Fertilize Edellieschen properly
Impatiens New Guinea produce full flower power when the energy supply is at an adequate level. Starting in May, fertilize the summer flower every 8 to 14 days with a liquid preparation for tropical flowering plants. The composition of these fertilizers takes into account the desired low pH value in the substrate. Stop supplying nutrients in October at the latest so that the plant matures before winter.
Wintering
Naturally, Impatiens New Guinea have the potential for multi-year cultivation. However, due to the sensitivity to frost, this project cannot be achieved in the bed. Under these conditions, the Edellieschen gets through the cold season he althy:
- Place bright and cool, at temperatures around 15 degrees Celsius
- Reduce watering and do not fertilize
- Spray with soft water every few days
In March/April, cut back all shoots by 50 to 75 percent and start fertilizing. The chances are then good that New Guinea impatiens will diligently sprout again.read more
Propagate Edellieschen
If you are particularly fond of a magnificent noble tree, you can breed offspring using cuttings. This form of vegetative propagation produces Impatiens New Guinea with exactly the same attributes as the mother plant. This is how the plan works:
- In early summer, cut non-flowering head cuttings with a length of 10-15 cm
- Leave all but one pair of leaves and plant two thirds in emaciated ericaceous soil
- Put a transparent hood over it, water from below and place in a partially shaded window seat
While the substrate is kept constantly slightly moist, rooting takes place. If the first shoots appear, the hood can give way. By next May, every cutting will have transformed into a powerful young plant.
Beautiful varieties
- Petticoat White: Magnificent variety with bright white flowers for sunny to shady locations; Growth height 25-30 cm
- Magnifico Scarlet Flame: Particularly richly flowering Impatiens New Guinea in cherry red; Growth height 20-30 cm
- Petticoat Fire: The orange-colored Impatiens New Guinea also thrives in shade; Growth height 20-25 cm
- Harmony Radiancae Scarlet: Two-tone beauty in white and red with a harmonious habit; Growth height up to 30 cm
- Paradise Orona: The variety impresses with velvety red flowers and dense growth; Growth height 25-30 cm
