Impatiens Downy Mildew, Begonias, Watering

As we warned last month, impatiens down mildew is expected to hit again this season. It has already been reported devastating plantings of this most popular annual in Florida. Some Canadian gardeners blamed overwatering for last year’s impatiens collapse. Alas, it was anything but, although watering at night is said to encourage the disease’s spread. Following last season’s experiences, many Canadian garden centres are battening down the hatches, stocking fewer flats and suggesting tuberous or multiflora bedding begonias as a substitute.