Some Regular Impatiens Looking Great!

So what's the problem? Lots of the regular much-used impatiens (I. walleriana) look just fine around Evanston, and not just those in containers. Yet everyone was warned this spring that a plant disease, Impatiens Downy Mildew, had moved from England to America. The mold, which can travel through wind-blown spores, has now been found in 33 states, including Illinois, and continues to spread. It also survives the winter in the soil.

If you planted regular impatiens this spring you are probably good till mid-August, and perhaps beyond. What happens is that the mold thrives under wet, cool conditions, when the sun goes down earlier and there is heavier dew. You can look for tiny white spores under the leaves followed by leaf curl and yellowing. Even after it strikes there is apparently a two-week period before plants look bad.

Your best bet to growing them next spring is to completely replace the soil in your container and hope wind-blown spores do not arrive (they can travel 100 miles). IMHO it's probably best not to plant them.

Meanwhile some New Guinea Imps have stalled--no flowers--but plenty of buds.
Let's keep checking on the I. walleriana around town. CUL8R.