The island of Madagascar is home to many unusual, caudex-forming succulents, including the rare Impatiens tuberosa. This beautiful species is quite different from the common bedding Impatiens. It makes an attractive, woody caudex, which enables the plant to survive the dry season. Its orchid-shaped blossoms are a vivid shade of magenta, and have yellow & red markings inside the white throat. This is a choice collector's plant that makes a great show plant. It is rare both in the wild and in cultivation.
Impatiens tuberosa forms multiple branches from the caudex, and can grow to 24 inches tall, but usually shorter. The shape of the caudex is variable, with each plant taking on a different shape. The caudex gradually increases in size each year, eventually growing up to 12 inches wide. The attractive foliage is olive green with reddish undersides when grown in bright light. In the wild, the plant normally drops its succulent branches during the dry winters, and emerges from dormancy in spring. In cultivation, the plant often stays evergreen if watered regularly and kept warm. The blooms are about an inch long and appear at the tops of the branches pretty much non-stop throughout the year. This species may be cross-bred with my Impatiens bicaudata and Impatiens auricoma to create great new hybrids!
Impatiens tuberosa grows in tropical lowland forests, where temperatures get in the upper 80s (31°C). It can often tolerate warmer conditions than that if nights are cool (below 65°F / 18°C). It's possible that consistently hot days with warm nights might stress it. The tuber can probably survive a light frost, but i recommend keeping the plant above 50 degrees F (10°C).
It grows well indoors in a small pot, and can even be grown as a bonsai plant! It prefers a well-draining soil mix, such as equal parts of potting soil and perlite or coarse sand. It looks best when given regular water and fertilizer, just like other Impatiens. It can take more sun than typical Impatiens, but give it some protection from strong afternoon sun. Bright shade works well too. Over about 40% humidity is best. In the right conditions, it is an easy, long-lived plant.
This auction is for a tuber about 1 inch wide. It can flower in a few months! It will be shipped without soil. Tips on planting it will be emailed to you (contact me if you would like them sooner). If you want shipping delayed up to 2 weeks, wait to pay please. Delivery to freezing areas is not recommended and will be done at the buyer's risk. If you have questions, please contact me. Outside the United States, please contact before bidding for the shipping terms and rates.
Save on shipping when you win one of my other items (request a combined invoice to receive discounted shipping). Not all plants can receive discounted shipping. Please contact me with any questions.
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| Strange Wonderful Things is your source for exotic, hard-to-find plants that bring the excitement back into gardening! Most of the plants in my collection are rarely seen in nurseries, and a few are sold nowhere else on the internet. I am a low-volume grower and don't produce many plants, so if you see something you like, please bid early! I personally answer all emails, and provide free "technical support" through my website. - Happy growing! - Jeff |
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Photos & text copyright 2024 by Strange Wonderful Things, except photo 2 used with permission of Derick Pitman