Real Series: A Fiesta of Color

Ryan Hall

Nothing beats impatiens when it comes to masses of color for the shade. Impatiens, and in particular Impatiens walleriana, have been a mainstay in landscape beds for decades. Historically, seed lines have dominated packs and pots with their super-bright colors and unique patterns. Then came a form of walleriana that changed the game and gave gardeners something truly different to work into their shade beds. Double impatiens’ unique, double rose-like flowers added a new dimension to the shade garden.

Most notably, Fiesta Double Impatiens from Ball FloraPlant gave gardeners the same reliable performance of seed impatiens, but with a more upscale look, increased vigor and tons of flower power. They worked great in mixed containers and helped drive the boom in container gardening. Even after weathering the storm of impatiens downy mildew, which could have spelled the end for Impatiens walleriana, double impatiens continue to be a consumer favorite and one of the best options for color in the shade.

Growers have been producing Fiesta for decades and generally know the ins and outs of producing a quality crop. Ball FloraPlant hasn’t slowed down breeding new and improved double impatiens to give growers even better varieties to work with. Fiesta Bonita, new for 2016 from Ball FloraPlant, takes a classic product and makes it even better. Fiesta Bonita has huge flowers that are typically double the size of other double impatiens series.

Another key attribute that Fiesta Bonita is known for is the series uniformity across all seven colors. This series uniformity makes Fiesta Bonita the latest addition to the Ball FloraPlant “Real Series” group of plants. This Real Series designation makes the choice easy for growers looking for the most uniform and production-friendly series available. Huge flowers and series uniformity paired with medium vigor habits makes Fiesta Bonita the ideal solution for growers looking to liven up their double impatiens program.

Growing Fiesta Bonita follows the same tried-and-true culture that growers have been using for years on the Fiesta and Fiesta Olé series. Fiesta Bonita’s uniform habit makes growing a crop that much easier, as one can treat the entire crop regardless of the color with the same overall culture and crop timing. Here are a few tips to maximize the potential of Fiesta Bonita and deliver top-notch quality to market.

Crop time: Rooted liner to finish
Double Impatiens Fiesta Bonita are quick finishers, making them the ideal quick-turn crop for repeat sales.

Media & pH
Fiesta Bonita prefers a media that can be kept evenly moist and cycled between wet and dry. Peat and peat/perlite-based media offer the best overall media solution for impatiens. A standard bedding plant pH of 5.8 to 6.2 will give the best overall growth.

Temperatures
Fiesta Bonita prefers moderate to warm temperatures, with daytime temperatures ranging from 70 to 75F (21 to 23C) and nighttime temperatures ranging from 65 to 68F (18 to 20C). Growers should avoid temperatures that fall below 65F (18C) at night, as this can negatively impact overall growth and flowering.

Light levels
Growers should provide Fiesta Bonita with moderately bright, but indirect, light. Avoid high light levels over 6,000 f.c. Growers should also avoid excessively dark growing conditions, as this can lead to poor flowering and stretched growth. Once in the landscape, Fiesta Bonita does best in full shade or morning sun.

Fertilizer
Fiesta Bonita are moderate-to-low feeders and grow best with a nitrate-based feed at 175 to 225 ppm N. Growers should start to feed immediately after transplanting and maintain moderate to low feed levels through the crop cycle.

Irrigation and moisture management
The key to producing top-quality Fiesta Bonita is properly managing moisture in the media. Growers should use a dry-wet irrigation cycle and avoid excessive periods of dry down. This dry-wet cycle, paired with a lean feed culture, will produce the maximum flowering potential of the Fiesta Bonita series.

PGRs
Fiesta Bonita are naturally compact and typically will require little to no plant growth regulators. If growers do require additional control over growth, Bonzi can be used as an effective control both as a spray between 5 to 10 ppm or as a drench between 0.5 to 1.0 ppm.

Insects and diseases
Thrips and leafminer are the primary pests that can cause issues on a double impatiens crops. Growers should scout regularly and use preventative measures to control insect populations. Thrips can vector Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus, which can be especially destructive to the value of a finished crop. This is all the more reason for growers to stay on top of thrips control. GT

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Ryan Hall is Product Manager for Ball FloraPlant, stationed in Arroyo Grande, California.