Expert: C.L. Fornari - 6/17/2007

Question
On mothers day I planted a ton of white, pink and lavender impatients in my flower bed. All of the impatients had flowers on them. Once they were planted i put red mulch in the entire bed. I set my sprinkler system for everyday for about 45 minutes. Two weeks ago i applied miracle grow to all my flowers and ever since they have lost all their flowers and the green leafs have curled. When i move the mulch and check the soil its moist. I did the same thing last year and they were huge and gorgeous. Could using miracle grow have done this? There aren't any buds growing either. How do i get them to come back? I live on Long Island, New York. Please help me!!!

Answer
I'm sure that the problem is that you are watering them to much.  Maybe last year you got away with it because it was warmer, but every day for 45 minutes is way too much water, especially if they are mulched and the night time temperatures are cool.  Water them every 5 days for 45 minutes in cool weather like we had last week, and every 4 days in hot, sunny weather.  At this point, let them dry out for five days, and then water well again and give them another dose of fertilizer the day after you water them.  Then go on the 4 or 5 day watering and you should be fine.

all the best,
C.L.