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Annuals/Impatiens with no flower buds
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Question
Hi L.I.G. - I seem to have the same problem as the person with the impatiens that are full and lush with nice green leaves and no flowers. Mine don't even have buds! I've been successfully growing impatiens in my yard for years, and now they are disappointing me terribly. And I designed a beautiful color scheme for them to be showy and wonderful. I do have a deer problem (Westchester, NY), but I use Bobex and and they stay away from everything. But maybe some other animal or insect is getting at the buds? No clue, but its just so upsetting. My watering schedule is fine, as is the partial sun (not too much and not too little). No clue what is going on....... Help??! Thank you so much for any tips....... Best, Lynn
A few possible problems here with your Impatiens.
One is that they are getting TOO MUCH sun. Too much sun is worse for Impatiens than 'just a little' sun. Too much sun is WAY too stressful for most. A few will put up with it, but some are extremely sensitive to too much UV and will not make any flowers in that situation.
Another is that it is TOO HOT. I have a feeling that being in Westchester it is under 90 degrees every day. That's not too hot for Impatiens. 100 degrees F, now, that's hot.
Yet another is lack of Nutrients. Do you fertilize? How's the soil? Impatiens need good solid soil and nutrients to grow and flower. They need a HIGH PHOSPHOROUS Fertilizer (for flowers). Not one with a lot of Nitrogen (for leaves). What have you been using for fertilizer?
Your thoughts invited.
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Answers by Expert:
Long Island Gardener
Expertise
Decisions, decisions... If you can't make up your mind which Annuals to grow, you're not alone. Problem with your new flowering Annuals flats? I`ve been there, done that. Petunias, Sweet Alyssum, Larkspur, Marine Blue Lobelia -- they all grow here at my house on Garden Street on Long Island, N.Y.. Cutting and Cottage Gardens, Sun and Shade Gardens, White Gardens and Night Gardens, I`ve done them all. Annuals are the perfect summer flower, bursting with color June through fall's first frost. I can`t speak on Cactus or tender Tropical Plants -- they don`t grow outside in my Zone 7. I`m no Farmer, so I cannot guide you on Fruits and Vegetables. But whether it`s an Annual you want to start from seed, mail-order or pick up at your local garden center, I can help you grow amazing blooms this Summer. Yes, together, we can turn your neighbors green with envy.
Experience
I have a lifetime of gardening behind me here on the North Shore of Long Island. While I have degrees in related fields, there's nothing like hands-on work to build real knowledge. I stay on top of current science -- there's a boom in research, and Kingdom Plantae is filled with surprises. By the way, I really do live on Garden Street.
Publications
Gannett newspapers, The New York Times, and hundreds of others - but not on Annuals.
Education/Credentials
B.A., botany; graduate credits in European Intellectual History and Political Science; minor coursework in related fields, docent training at our local botanical gardens (required for volunteers). I'm currently working on an advanced biochemistry degree.
Awards and Honors
I could tell you, but then you'd know who I am.
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