The rose parade impatiens I got from Burpee's is causing me some concern. They are comming straight up the main stem without branching. The double bloom impatiens I got a few years ago as a starter plant had many many branches. Should I pinch off the top or not. I only have 5 plants out of the entire package I planted. So, I don't really want to experiment if someone knows for sure.

I appreciate any light you can shed on the subject. Maybe it's just to small yet to be branching. I started them a couple of weeks ago.

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I got the seeds from Burpee's. That's the only place I found them. They are a double bloom which is what I wanted. There were only about 50 seeds in the package and I shared them with another member. And of the 25 I planted only 5 came up. But from what I understand they are easy to take cuttings from so I will try that once they bush out and hopefully I will have some to trade for next year. I wish I could do better. I bought the red and hopefully I will be able to get the pink and white at a later date. The seed packet cost 4.95 each not including shipping so it was expensive.

Most of the time Burpee's is out of the seeds so you have to watch the online catalog very carefully to catch them when they are in.

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Well I read the part where they are suppose to be easy to root cuttings from so I'll definitely try that once they branch and get in their permanent home. With that Hopefully I'll get enough plants that collecting seeds won't be a problem and I'll have lots to trade next year.

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I don't know the answer to any of your questions. I guess that proves I'm a newbie too. I have some balsam that I plan to plant later on in the year. It sounds like it will be really pretty. Touch me nots are out of my range of experience but I'll look forward to your posts about them when they come up.

Hopefully I'll get my camera working here in the not distant future and I'll be able to show you what the plants look like so far.

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