Impatiens capensis -- seeds for Peter

[Cindi]

Well, well, well, another adventure off in the land of the rainforest of our British Columbia.  Remember I have put in some pretty pictures of the Impatiens Capensis and there has been such talk of this lovely wildflower.  It is a late season source for pollen and nectar for the bees.  I did not gather seed this year, because it has been horrible weather and I thought that it was way too late.  Peter had asked me if I could send him some seeds.  Nope, was my answer, the seeds were probably all long gone and scattered, hithertofrow.

We had a short break in the rain yesterday, so I donned my gumboots and my soggy weather gear and off I went with a deep wide pail in my hand, my dogs along for the jont.  It is bear time, I know that, because my corn is ready (I planted only about 50 this year), and I know he may want to have some good snacks. 

These species of Impatiens grow wild around my place, even larger and wilder along the southwestern part of my property near the old horse paddock.  They grow even more prolifically along the little tiny muck creek that is the drainoff for the ditch I dug along my property, they love moisture and lots of sunshine (not much sunshine, but man have we had the moisture!!!!).

I firstly took a good look at the plants that tower about 8 feet tall, mostly all starting to fall over now, but still many little flowers, and lo and behold, SEED PODS, still intact.  I know how these seed pods burst with even the tiniest of the touch, to spread their seeds where they will lie dormant until next spring's weather meets their germination requirements.  Considering they are in the tender impatiens family, they are extremely hardy, our cultivated impatiens are not so, they are little babies in nature compared to these wild glories.

So, I begin to gather the seeds, forgetting from prior years how much they love to blow up and send seeds flying.  The first couple of seed pods blow up.  Right.  Remember Cindi.  I pick the branches, along with the bunches of pods that are pretty much alternate on the stems and place them in my deep wide bucket.  It must be so, because as I put in them in the bucket, I can hear them blowing up, the seeds flying everywhere, but contained in the great bucket!!!  Yeah!!!!  I have fooled this gem of Mother Nature's.

Now I have a pretty bucket of thousands of seeds, awaiting my tender love and care to dry them carefully, clean them off of their shells that some may still be in and to give these seeds to any of those that would like some  :) ;).  They will be ready in about a month.  If you would like some seed, I will willingly send them on.  As so many annuals, once you have these seed and grow the plants, they are yours until the end of days.

Impatiens capensis loves moisture, I would not recommend growing them in sandy soil, nor would I grow them in a place that does not have sufficient water.  But that is only my limited knowledge.  I know they grow all over the U.S. as well, I have heard our forum friends talk about it, and remember......they are also great for relief from the pain from stinging nettle, I remember you speaking of that.

So, Peter.....you are in luck, I have gathered the seed for you and will send these along, I will PM you, but I had to tell the forum that we are in luck this day.  Have a wonderful day, beautiful life we live.  Cindi



The bucket of thousands of seeds!!!!!

[reinbeau]

Impatiens capensis, or Jewelweed, as it is known around here, will grow in sandy soil provided there is plenty of moisture - and shade.  They really prefer woodlands.  They're rather - shall we say - vigorous, but they're easy enough to pull, so I don't fight with them too much.  The bees love them!

In my Pennyroyal Papers, our newsletter we receive for being members of the New England Unit Herb Society of America, there is a lovely article by Norma Weinberg, one of our members, titled 'A Natural Remedy for Poison Ivy'.  In it she gives a recipe for Jewelweed Ice Cubes, which I will post below:

'Collect at least one-half gallon's quantity of the plant, stems, leaves and flowers.  Chop into pot-size pieces and toss into a non-reactive pot such as Pyrex or enamel.  Cover with cool water and the pot lid and simmer until the water is reduced by one-half and has turned an amber color.  Cool.  Strain out the wilted herbs and place these in a plastic container with a lid.  Refrigerate up to one week.

If you have been exposed to PI, rinse the affected area well and place the wilted herb directly on the area.  Create a compress by covering with muslin or cheesecloth for at least 20 minutes.

Step two:  Strain the Jewelweed liquid and pour into plastic ice cube trays.  Label the trays 'Jewelweed'.  When frozen, transfer the ice cubes to Ziploc freezer bags.  If anyone has been in contact with poison ivy, several cool washes with the frozen cubes usually does the trick.'

[Cindi]

Ann, now isn't that just a pretty bit of information that you posted.  I picture myself performing this, shall I call it a "ritual", sometime next summer, this blooms late summer here.  I have never come into contact with poison ivy, not even sure if it grows around here, I imagine it does.

I think I made an error in the last post when I referred to Jewelweed being used for stinging nettle, I think there may have been talk about that, but only queeries, it was indeed poison ivy that was addressed.  You hold a wealth of information in the palm of your hands and I admire that.....thank you for your posts that have such quality.  Best of this great and beautiful day.  Cindi