You are here:

Annuals/impatients

Advertisement

Expert: - 11/23/2007


Question
Just planted my annual impatients last week. I live in Florida. They look tall and leggy. Should I cut them back?

Answer
Bettye,
I'd let them get settled and start root growth for the next week or two, and then cut them back. The tips of plants give off a hormone that tells the plants to grow roots, so if you clip them back at the same time you plant them they won't get established as quickly - let them get their roots going for at least two weeks, and then cut up to a half off of that tall leggy growth. You can also give them a mild liquid fertlizer at that time if you haven't already.

all the best,
C.L.

Annuals

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

C.L. Fornari

Expertise

Annuals suggested for specific situations (sun, shade, windowboxes etc) New or unusual annuals are a particular interest of mine, and I grow many of these from seed. I am happy to help problem solve, answer questions about maintenance, and guide you to sources of unusual plants.

Experience

I am a garden writer/speaker/consultant and host of a weekly gardening radio program in the Northeast. I have been gardening all my life for my own pleasure, and started as a professional gardener and garden communicator 15 years ago. I work part-time at a garden center, selling and tending shrubs/trees/annuals/perennials...and doing some propagation and design work. I often think that all these professional activities serve to put a somewhat legitimate framework around a serious case of plant-lust.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.