Expert: Mike Mascio - 4/26/2006

Question
I live in Taylorsville, MS and have planted 2 beds of impatients. Both beds have impatients with round brown spots on their leaves and are not doing very well. This is the second year to plant them in there, last year they did beautifully. Do you know what is wrong?

thanks!

Answer
Melissa, it sounds like they may have contracted a fungus disease.  These diseases are especially prevalent in the spring due to the damp rainy weather.

I would recommend spraying them with a copper-based fungicide.  I personally use a product called Soap Shield.  You can find it at the following web site:

http://www.gardensalive.com

I hope this helps.  Good luck, and please write again if I can ever be of assistance.

Regards,

Mike