Sunpatiens Care for the Commercial Grower

Sunpatiens are exceptional hybrid Impatiens bred by Sakata Ornamentals in two growing habits. These beautiful plants will make a wonderful addition to your commercial greenhouse growing program. Your customers will love their long bloom season, easy care, and versatility in the landscape. 

Our Sunpatiens rooted cuttings arrive ready to be transplanted into your final containers. Follow the tips in this short guide on Sunpatiens care to successfully finish and sell your starter plants.

You will learn:

• The basics of transplanting, fertilizing, and finishing Sunpatiens liners
• How to time your starter plants
• How to coach customers to succeed in growing their new plants

How to Transplant, Fertilize, and Finish Sunpatiens

Plant one rooted plug per 1801, 4-inch, or 6-inch container or one to three per 10-inch container or basket. Use well-aerated media such as a mix of peat moss and aggregate. Plant each plug centered or evenly spaced in the container. Sunpatiens are an excellent addition to hanging baskets, landscapes, and combination containers. Compact varieties perform well in multi-packs and small containers, while vigorous varieties excel in hanging baskets and large containers. 

Keep plants pot-tight until foliage begins to touch, and then space as follows for adequate airflow and sunlight penetration around the base and foliage of each plant. Failure to space plants appropriately can cause plants to stretch thin. 

This plant performs well and flowers in temperatures ranging from 55-85℉. Lower temperatures within the range increase flower size and flowering time and control plant height, while higher temperatures within the range decrease flower size, speed up flowering, and increase plant height. Aim for as small a variation in temperature from night to day with a 5-7℉ drop in temperature for two hours beginning at daybreak to promote compact growth and limit internode stretch. 

Provide light levels at 3,500-5,000 fc. Higher light levels control growth to prevent leggy plants but may also cause plants to require more frequent watering. Sunpatiens are day-neutral but may benefit from supplemental lighting in areas with short days in winter and early spring. 14-hour days can increase the amount of flowers. 

Water at the base of each plant early in the day, allowing the media to dry between waterings. Wait until plants show slight wilt before watering, as this encourages a strong root system and calcium uptake. Severe wilt with low humidity can cause leaf scorching but is rare in greenhouse conditions.

Apply fertilizer at a rate of 65-100 ppm N to maintain a media EC of 0.5 mS/cm (1:2) or 1.4 (SME). Use a Cal/Mag formula at 15-5-15 or 17-5-15, and be careful to limit ammonium application to less than 5 ppm. Since Sunpatiens are moderate feeders, lower levels of pre-mixed fertilizer may not provide as much of the trace elements Iron and Boron as needed. Test and supplement at 0.5 ppm Iron and 0.25 ppm Boron in the nutrient solution. Watch for excess salt and leach with fresh water irrigation as needed. Signs of excess soluble salts include upper leaf crinkling, marginal leaf burn, less plant growth, low pH, and high pH. Use a Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium balance at 4:2:1. This would work out to 140 ppm Potassium, 70 ppm Calcium, and 35 ppm Magnesium for every 100 ppm Nitrogen in 100 gallons. 

Do not pinch Sunpatiens. Use cultural or chemical methods to control growth. High light, proper irrigation, and appropriate spacing and scheduling should produce toned, compact plants. If needed, use foliar sprays with A-Rest at 2 ppm for compact varieties or 4 ppm for vigorous plants. Alternatively, use a tank mix of B-Nine at 1,500-2,500 ppm and A-rest at 2-4 ppm. Do not use paclobutrazol as it may over-regulate and create stunted plants.

This cultivar is disease- and insect-resistant in the greenhouse and the landscape. However, watch for Botrytis and Pythium rot as well as fungus gnats, spider mites, and thrips. Prevent and control disease in your commercial greenhouse with an Integrated Pest Management program. 

Starter Plant Timing

Starter timing depends on the container size and relies on appropriate light levels, temperatures, and irrigation to produce flowering plants in the allotted timeframe. The following crop times apply to transplanted rooted plugs growing at an average temperature of 70℉. 

Impatiens are a classic low-maintenance flower for spring sales programs and the Sunpatien cultivars bring another level of ease, big blooms, and versatility to the garden and greenhouse.

Varieties of Sunpatiens

Sunpatiens are bred for excellent vigor and to be heat- and sun-loving Impatiens. They are easy to produce, and customers love them! 

These cultivars come in two series: Compact and Vigorous. The compact variety offers a small, dense, bushy habit of 14-28″ tall and 14-24″ wide, while the vigorous varieties have a dense, bushy habit of 18-34″ tall and 24-36″ wide. Either variety has dark foliage, exceptional branching, and non-stop color from spring till frost. Vigorous varieties are more well-suited to cool regions, while compact varieties excel in warmer areas. Flowers come in a wide range of whites, reds, pinks, oranges, and purples.

How Your Customers Can Use Sunpatiens

Customers love low-maintenance options for landscaping and hanging baskets to bring long-lasting annual color to the garden, patio, and yard. Sunpatiens offer prolific flowers, a dense growing habit, and superior heat and sun tolerance. 

This hybrid is long-blooming, fast-growing, and flourishes in full sun or shade with little care. Enjoy bright colors on dark foliage from spring to frost. 

Create a striking blend of colors and textures in a landscape border by pairing this plant with Osteospermum, Helichrysum, and Salvia Farinacea.

Space plants 14-30” apart, depending on the variety, in well-drained soil in full sun. Water once a week or more often in containers, extreme heat, or as the plant establishes roots.

Bring a vibrant splash of color to the greenhouse and garden with Sunpatiens! Your customers will thank you for carrying these exceptional cultivars.

Contact us with any questions about growing Sunpatiens and other plants. We want to help you grow your business! Sunpatiens are available for order beginning January 1, 2024.