Expert: C.L. Fornari - 11/22/2007

Question
Relatively new plant grown together with ferns indoors, in mixture of peat moss / potting soil, high light area. Kept moist and misted daily.  Still have one flower but the leaves are becoming dry and brittle. Most shrivel up and fall off?  Is the plant busy dying? Why? Can I rescue it?

Answer
Dry brittle leaves are either a sign that the plant is drying up between waterings, or a sign of fertlizer burn. Are you fertilizing when you water?  If so, perhaps you're using too much fertlizer or not watering before you fertilize (never fertilize a thirsty plant.)  How much peat moss is in the mix?  Peat can shed water rather than absorb it if it's mixed too heavily or mixed in dry...this would mean that although you are watering the water isn't getting to the plant but rolling off the peat.  If I were you I'd pull one of the plants out and look at the roots and soil around the roots and see if it feels dry.

In general, misting doesn't do much for plants inside...not sure I'd bother. No flowers on Impatiens is usually a sign of not enough light - although these plants tolerate a great deal of shade, they truely need some direct sun in order to bloom.

I hope this helps,
C.L.