| What am I doing wrong with my impatiens? I plant my impatiens the end of May and by July the leaves have turned black and eventually fall off. All I have left are stems with flowers on top. This happens in my flower boxes and impatients planted in the ground. I hope you can help me. |
| Impatiens are subject to a number of foliar problems, many of them fungal. Unfortunately, many of them will reinfect impatiens from year to year if they are planted in the same soil and some may even be introduced during the propagation process. In addition, frequent watering in the summer heat can create an ideal environment for disease problems, especially if air circulation is poor. To reduce the chances for disease to develop, you might try watering less often but deeply and avoid wetting the foliage. You might also make sure that the soil is moist and yet well drained so that the roots do not sit in constantly soaking wet soil as they need air in addition to water. If the problem appears again, you might wish to take a sample to your County Extension (372-1622) for a more definite identification of the cause and suggested controls, if any, once it has been identified with certainty. Good luck with your impatiens! |
