Bizzie Lizzies rubbish this year - anyone else having problems?

BlondeHeadOn

I can usually rely on bizzie lizzies (impatiens) to flower reliably and give colour to the awkward shady corners of the garden, but this year they have not thrived at all. After a first flush of flowers they seem to be being eaten by something, which is taking all the flowers and most of the leaves off.

I have some of the same variety in a hanging basket which are fine, so I suppose that the obvious cause might be slugs - I have never had this problem before though.

Anyne else noticed this problem? If so, do you have any idea what could be causing this?

Thanks in advance.

peter_the_piper

Everyone has the problem and there is no cure, Yet. Its caused by a white mildew which decimates the crop in no time. Only the New Guinea varieties are immune(so far) so there are at least some you can grow. It first came in in about 2003 and dpread from there to all parts of the country, if you have not got it yet you soon will.

BlondeHeadOn

peter_the_piper wrote: »

Everyone has the problem and there is no cure, Yet. Its caused by a white mildew which decimates the crop in no time. Only the New Guinea varieties are immune(so far) so there are at least some you can grow. It first came in in about 2003 and dpread from there to all parts of the country, if you have not got it yet you soon will.

Oh bum! I suppose I must have just been luck up until this year, as I've not had any problem before.

Hmm... Why does it not affect the ones in hanging baskets then? Do they have more ventilation, I wonder?

Thanks for the information.

Farway

I heard a bit on the radio, seems busy lizzies are bad all round this year, I know mine are, they said it was due to damp weather of late

BlondeHeadOn

Farway wrote: »

I heard a bit on the radio, seems busy lizzies are bad all round this year, I know mine are, they said it was due to damp weather of late

Oh well, at least it's not just me then!

My Begonias, on the other hand, are doing fab - I guess they must just like the damp....

Yorkie1

Farway wrote: »

I heard a bit on the radio, seems busy lizzies are bad all round this year, I know mine are, they said it was due to damp weather of late

The expert on our local gardening radio show said it had been a bad year all round too - he'd lost all of his.

peter_the_piper

The commercial guys can spray against it but it only lasts for 14 days so the clock is ticking when you get them.

hkminca

I went to Thompson & Morgans open day and their wall of bizzie lizzies were all affected by white mildew, so if they can't beat it no one can.

m13r13c13

One year all my bizzie lizzies were eaten by pigeons. They were looking lovely till they sat down to their meal.

wen3

Mine are the same glad i am not alone