Expert: C.L. Fornari - 8/15/2009

Question
Live in Washoougal Washington. Have one potted - Is it possible to save it through the winter ? We have a heated attached garage we could place it in. What can we do ?  Thanks So Much
Darrell Sanderson

Answer
Darrell,
I understand that at this time of year when that plant is looking fantastic that you hate the thought of letting it die. But there are some good reasons that you might want to do so. Most annuals are prone to insects when they are indoors: fungus gnats, whitefly and aphids are most common.  Also, many need high levels of light such as the light provided by a greenhouse. Yes, some plants can be kept in a dormant, sleeper stage, and to do that you keep the plant in a room that is about 50 to 60 degrees but no warmer. Some light is needed but you can get away with lower levels since the plant is dormant. Don't fertilize and water when dry but before the plant wilts. The plant will loose leaves and stop flowering. Monitor for insects and spray with insecticidal soap when needed.  Then in the spring you cut the plant back, fertilize and put outdoors again.

The downside to this is that the plant will take awhile before it looks good again - you'll live with a plant that's pretty pathetic for awhile.

To my mind, the decision is made this way: if an annual is expensive, hard to find, or the type that gets bigger and more beautiful every year (cacti and begonias, for example) then it's worth doing what you need to do to keep the plant through the winter. If the plant is inexpensive, or common, and doesn't grow bigger, then it's better to let it go when cold weather hits and get a new one in the spring. For me, the NG Impatiens falls into this last group and I don't want to bother keeping it. But I leave it to you... sometimes things are worth trying just to see what happens, after all, and occasionally a plant will succeed against all odds.

I hope this helps,
C.L.