Overview

There are over 500 species of impatiens that are part of the Balsaminaceae family. They are found nearly world-wide from Asia and Africa to North America. Impatiens produce an abundance of flowers in nearly every color of the rainbow and require low maintenance to stay healthy. Cloning impatiens is done through root cuttings. Most impatien cultivars are patented, so do not take cuttings unless you are a licensed propagator or you are growing a non-patented variety.

Step 1

Sterilize your cutting tray with one part bleach mixed with 9 parts water. Fill the tray with equal parts of peat moss and perlite. This will create a well-draining soil mixture,

Step 2

Cut 1 inch off the tip of a vigorous growing stem with a sharp knife. The cutting should have no more than 2 leaves on the top. Remove the lower leaves so that the lower 1/2 inch of the cutting is bare.

Step 3

Insert the lower 1/2 inch into the soil in the cutting tray. Set in a warm location where the nighttime temperature is around 70 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit and the daytime temperature is 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 4

Mist the cuttings in the tray several times a day in order to keep the soil mixture moist. Do not mist at night while the temperatures are cooler. In 5 to 7 days, the stem cutting will develop a callus at the cut end.

Step 5

Plant the rooted cutting in a 4 or 5 inch plant pot once 1/4 inch roots form in 10 to 14 days. Do not add fertilizer at this stage. Keep the soil composition at equal parts peat moss and perlite.

Step 6

Water the cuttings with clear water, without added fertilizer or chemicals, for 2 weeks. Allow the cutting to dry out between watering sessions, but do not let the impatiens wilt.