Ok, I very strongly disagree with "shrubs_n_bulbs". I seldom disagree with him, so he is probably right and I am wrong, but here goes my advice/experience: impatiens root very very easily. You can root cuttings in seed starting mixture or simply in water. If you root impatiens, then you can get flowers in 4-5 weeks. 2 weeks to get roots is right, but 4-5 weeks until flowering. at that time, the impatiens have all the roots they need to establish themselves. if you make the cuttings indoors in 70-78 deg F temperatures in subdued light (e.g. behind a sheer curtain, or under the light of a fluorescent light bulb) the impatiens will root in 7-10 days. You can either fill a pot with a well draining seed starting mixture (available at garden centers) or use potting soil. You can fill a 6" pots and put several cuttings around the edge of the pot spaced a few inches apart. each pot should hold 4-5 cuttings each. Enclose the cuttings in a plastic bag and if the seed starting mixture/potting soil was very moist then there should not be a need to water again until the impatiens root in 7-10 days. You can also fill a pan with water and put cuttings around the edge so they do not slide into the water (make sure no leaves in the water.. only the stem). Change water every few days but keep everything at 70-75 deg F. Once roots appear and they are 1.5-2" long, repot in seperate pots. it may be helpful then to place the pots in enclosed plastic bags for a few days to let the cutting recover. they are usually a bit under the weather (no pun intended) after being repotted from growing in only water. We always makes tons of cuttings each year this way. I can only start so many seeds indoors, but once one flat of impatiens go outdoors, I make more cuttings for family and friends from these. Generally, impatiens grow and flower 4-5 weeks after you make the cuttings. We have never had a problem with undevelopped root systems.. not for a fast grower like impatiens..

Im going to have to definitely look into that! Thanks for the source. I would love to see some pics when its all potted up. And Hawaii is definitely in a terrible drought. When I was there recently you could see the entire forest was dried up (the forecast wasnt very lush on that side of the island, it was kind of like a savannah. They said that the trees would become green again when it started to rain. The hotels didnt show any signs of drought and neither did any of the nearby streets because it was amazingly well maintained, but once you got past the hotel, a lot of the island was suffering from the drought. They also had a huge fire on the island of Maui which (If I remember correctly) was started by someone, but it took out a large portion of the savannah-like forest. At least we are getting some small amounts of rain here every once in a while. Some parts of hawaii arent even getting that (although there are parts of Hawaii that do get rain every single day even in this drought). Hawaii has such a diverse climate, but even though they are in the middle of the ocean, they seem to get droughts too! Good luck! -Alex

Well said. :+) Mimicking the natural point of the healthy leaves can make a trim much less noticeable too. When it's time to water, taking to sink or shower can allow you to use enough water to make use of the flushing action & cleansing properties of the rain water. Apply as gently as possible so the force of gushing water doesn't compact soil. I don't think it's been mentioned yet if this pot has a drain hole in the bottom? Attached drain saucer? Either of these things (pot w/o hole, attached saucer) can be frustratingly impractical, often dangerous. I can never tell how deep I might need to feel around in a pot to find the moisture level, but I do know I don't enjoy doing that, and most of my pots have plants packed too tightly to allow it. Parking a wood skewer in there has a lot of fans. When you pull it out, you should be able to tell how moist, how deep, (depending on soil texture.) I use picking them up if I'm in doubt about whether or not to water. If it feels lighter than when I watered, a drink is probably fine. This is only a concern for some pots that don't have really chunky/porous/airy soil & need repotting soon. Over time, the kind of organic mix I use decomposes from larger bits to tiny bits*. I can tell when it has happened to the point that repotting is necessary when it seems like pots are always heavy after a week or so of no rain or me watering. Potting soil right from a bag usually falls into the category of tiny particles that take forever to dry out (and have no air between them.) That's not good because roots need oxygen & moisture @ the same time to function. With only moisture, there is rotting. Unglazed clay pots are another option, which allow evaporation (and oxygen access) from all sides of the root ball, not just the top and drain hole. *Putting plants outside for summer in hot, humid south Alabama plays a huge role in that. A plant that's always inside would go a lot longer without needing to be repotted, if starting on the same day in the same soil.

To the original post I have to admit I have done it, left the dreaded task grumbled my way through, only to run out of steam/ desire to go the extra step. I don't like to be nagged into a task I doubt anyone does, I figure I will get to it when I want to Im a grown a$$ adult and no one is gonna make me. ;) Background here my mom was a TASK master and rarely satisfied etc etc. As for the deal I can't/shouldn't? but will anyway comment as I wouldn't make the deal cause I can't won't compromise yup no spouse here, (something to think about the the side of the coin so to speak) I know my limitations, and am happier for it- no need to make two people miserable. I hear this topic at work a looooot, the ladies b-ing complaining about their spouses, not many guys but I will guess they do the same. What is the trick to living with another with differing objectives, plans, priorities, how do you accept it and move on without bitterness resentment, I haven't a flipping clue, clearly. Hey you have made it this far so you clearly know something about it. Be happy life is short and we only get one trip, hmm any other cliches, go with the flow, live and let live, don't worry be happy, laugh and the whole world laughs with you,ok Im done. Wait ! love em while you got them, Frogged who hasn't learned not to stick her nose in where it doesn't belong...... yet . Now im done........