Impatiens Niamniamensis

Bilje · January 2016

The common name of the plant is Congo Cockatoo, I was given a rooted cutting in 2014 and took a top cutting in 2015. Both plants are about 2 feet tall with several stems,they are normally evergreen.. Sadly I didn't take them out of my cold greenhouse and they have been affected, understandably, by the near freezing temperatures. They have lost all their leaves but the stems which are almost woody seem fine but perhaps I'm being optimistic. I've now brought the pots indoors on a cool windowsill. I'm inclined to leave them as they are until spring but would anyone with more experience suggest I cut them back now? Any comments welcome.

Logan · January 2016

Hi I wouldn't cut them back now.Do they look as if they've been had by the frost? Treat them like the other impatients. They are tender plants. Keep them out of bright sunlight and water when a bit dry on top and don't let them stand in water. There's a web site gardenknowhow.

Bilje · January 2016

Thanks for the reply Logan. The leaves were certainly low temperature, if not frost damaged, they went wet and fell off. There were tiny bud shoots on the stems and in the couple of days they've been indoors they seem to be growing. The stems of these plants are much sturdier than normal Impatiens which would have been mush by now. The plan is to just keep them ticking over and a cut back in Spring. Another lesson learnt.

Impatiens Niamniamensis

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