Impatiens capensis
TOUCH ME NOT, JEWELWEED, SPOTTED TOUCH ME NOT
SKU: 315-010
Description
A native wildflower in much of North America, Jewelweed is a fun wildflower because once the seed pods ripen, if touched, they 'pop' and shoot their seeds long distances! Extra fun for kids, and fun trying to harvest them! These seeds are for the exotic-looking orange/red flowers, spotted, and a favorite of hummingbirds. Grow these plants in a mainly shaded area. They are quite tolerant of dry soil, and even acidic soils under evergreen trees.
When we first became aware of Jewelweed we thought these plants were perennials because our plants are in the same grouping every year, and grow to their full height quite quickly. They are in fact, annuals, that are extremely reliable, and require absolutely no maintenance to get them to appear each year! We grow them in zone 4 (really cold Canadian winters) though they have the largest hardiness range of any plants that we are aware of from zone 2 (really, really, really cold) to zone 11 (tropical).
Hardiness zones: 2-11, virtually all of North America and beyond!
Location: Shade or part shade
Height: 3-4'
Seeds per pack: 10
Germination: Start these seeds indoors right away for best germination rates. Sow the seeds just under the surface of a seed-start mix, and water in. First keep them at room temperature for 4-6 weeks. This helps break the phytohormones which inhibit germination. Then cover them with plastic to retain moisture, and then place in a fridge for 6-8 weeks. Then bring them to a cool room (approximately 12°C, 54°F) for 6-8 weeks for germination. They may be growing at this point, though sometimes they need a second cold period. If they are not growing cover them with plastic and place in a fridge for another 6-8 weeks. Be sure they stay moist. After the second cold-moist stratification period they are then brought back to a cool (12-15C, 54-59F) room for them to germinate. This double cold period is not always needed, but sometimes necessary, and is very normal for these seeds. Germination is in 30-90 days after the second warming period.
Description
A native wildflower in much of North America, Jewelweed is a fun wildflower because once the seed pods ripen, if touched, they 'pop' and shoot their seeds long distances! Extra fun for kids, and fun trying to harvest them! These seeds are for the exotic-looking orange/red flowers, spotted, and a favorite of hummingbirds. Grow these plants in a mainly shaded area. They are quite tolerant of dry soil, and even acidic soils under evergreen trees.
When we first became aware of Jewelweed we thought these plants were perennials because our plants are in the same grouping every year, and grow to their full height quite quickly. They are in fact, annuals, that are extremely reliable, and require absolutely no maintenance to get them to appear each year! We grow them in zone 4 (really cold Canadian winters) though they have the largest hardiness range of any plants that we are aware of from zone 2 (really, really, really cold) to zone 11 (tropical).
Hardiness zones: 2-11, virtually all of North America and beyond!
Location: Shade or part shade
Height: 3-4'
Seeds per pack: 10
Germination: Start these seeds indoors right away for best germination rates. Sow the seeds just under the surface of a seed-start mix, and water in. First keep them at room temperature for 4-6 weeks. This helps break the phytohormones which inhibit germination. Then cover them with plastic to retain moisture, and then place in a fridge for 6-8 weeks. Then bring them to a cool room (approximately 12°C, 54°F) for 6-8 weeks for germination. They may be growing at this point, though sometimes they need a second cold period. If they are not growing cover them with plastic and place in a fridge for another 6-8 weeks. Be sure they stay moist. After the second cold-moist stratification period they are then brought back to a cool (12-15C, 54-59F) room for them to germinate. This double cold period is not always needed, but sometimes necessary, and is very normal for these seeds. Germination is in 30-90 days after the second warming period.
