Impatiens Beacon Formula Mix Seedling Tray

For best results with Beacon Formula Mix, plant one seedling plug per 1801 cell or 4-inch container or three to five per 10-inch container. Use well-drained soil with a pH of 6.2-6.5, EC of 0.75-1.0 mS/cm, and light feed (<100 ppm N). Provide temperatures of 70-75 daytime and 62-68 nighttime. This plant is day neutral, and responds to daminozide, paclobutrazol, and uniconazol if needed. Watch for signs of Impatiens downy mildew, although this cultivar is highly resistant. You may also see spider mites, aphids, slugs, and snails.

A mix of red, pink, orange, violet, and white flowers bloom from spring to fall.

This plant doesn't require pinching.

Space containers for adequate airflow and sunlight penetration around the base and foliage of each plant. We recommend 6-8" on center for 4-inch containers or 12-14" on center for 10-inch containers. Adjust as needed for your specific greenhouse.

Monitor water and fertilizer, providing proper amounts to control growth and vigor. Use daminozide, paclobutrazol, or uniconazol according to the label's instructions if needed.

Scout for aphids, spider mites, slugs, and snails as part of your commercial greenhouse's Integrated Pest Management program. Prevention is the best method of controlling pests.

Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that cause damage by sucking sap from plant tissue. They reproduce quickly and are particularly attracted to young growth. Curling and yellowed leaves, stunted growth, and stickiness on leaves are signs of an infestation. These insects also spread diseases and reproduce rapidly. Use biological controls or horticultural oils to discourage and kill aphids.

Spider Mites are tiny pests that cause stippling, yellowing, and webbing on foliage by feeding on plant sap. They flourish in warm, dry environments. Use correct water and fertilizing practices; over-fertilizing can attract spider mites. Proper humidity levels, predatory mites or ladybugs, and insecticidal soaps or oils may prevent or address a spider mite infestation.

Slugs and snails eat foliage in the garden or greenhouse. In the greenhouse, prevent damage by keeping snails and slugs away from plants with copper tape, bait, or natural predators. Although it's laborious, picking these pests off plants is effective. They most enjoy moist, dark areas, so keep the area around plants clean and free of debris and implement proper watering practices that allow the soil to dry between waterings and don't allow standing water.

The primary disease that affects Impatiens is Impatiens Downy Mildew (IDM), although PanAmerican specifically formulated this cultivar to be highly resistant to the disease. You may also see leaf spot, fusarium wilt, verticillium wilt, or powdery mildew. Take preventative measures in your greenhouse. Water at the base of each plant in the morning, allowing the soil to dry between watering and provide good airflow in your greenhouse. 

Impatiens Downy Mildew is caused by the fungus Plasmopara destructor and specifically affects Impatiens. It causes leaves to turn yellow and wilt while developing a fuzzy white growth on the underside of the leaves, resulting in stunted growth, fewer flowers, and premature leaf drop. This disease progresses rapidly and can cause a total collapse of affected plants within a few weeks. It spreads via contaminated soil and tools as well as wind. PanAmerican developed this Impatiens cultivar to be highly resistant to IDM. In a greenhouse with a history of IDM, use a preventative fungicide. Practice good sanitation, provide good airflow, and water at the base of each plant to prevent infection. If you suspect an infection, act quickly to remove affected plants.

Bacterial Leaf Spot results from a bacterial pathogen and causes water-soaked yellow or brown lesions on foliage. These may merge and cause leaves to turn yellow and drop. Prevent bacterial leaf spot by practicing sanitation and hygiene, watering at the base of each plant, and space plants for adequate circulation and light penetration. At the first signs of infection, remove the affected leaves and treat the remaining plants with a copper-based fungicide like hydroxide, sulfate, oxychloride, or octanoate. Use fungicides carefully according to the label's instructions, and be aware that applying copper-based fungicides at high rates or during hot, dry weather can lead to phytotoxicity.

Fusarium Wilt is a fungal disease that causes leaves to wilt and turn yellow. Use clean growing media and sterilize pots, trays, and tools before transplanting seedling plugs. Inspect plants regularly for signs of disease, checking roots and stems for discoloration and wilting. Remove and destroy infected plants to prevent the spread of fusarium fungus.

Verticillium is a fungal disease that causes stunted growth and wilted, browning foliage. Proper sanitation is the best defense, as this fungus spreads through contaminated soil and debris or equipment, tools, and water. Remove infected plants and sanitize tools that may be contaminated. Proper sanitization, watering, fertilization, and spacing can reduce the risk of initial infection. Choose fungicides carefully, rotating among azoxystrobin, propamocarb hydrochloride, and thiophanate-methyl and following the manufacturer's instructions for application rate, timing, and safety precautions.

Powdery Mildew is a fungal disease that thrives in humid conditions, appearing as a white or gray coating on foliage and flowers. Provide good airflow in your greenhouse. We recommend horizontal airflow fans to help control humidity levels alongside a dehumidifier or manual venting. Remove and destroy infected plants and apply fungicides as needed or preventatively. Look for the active ingredients myclobutanil, trifloxystrobin, or potassium bicarbonate to combat Powdery Mildew threatening your seedling plugs.

We recommend growing one seedling plug per 1801 cell or 4-inch container or three to five per 10-inch container. Use well-drained soil and completely bury the ellepots centered or evenly spaced in the containers.