Overwatered impatiens will suffer from wilting and other signs. Although it is an easy-care plant, it can easily be overwatered.
Hence, we will discuss how excessive watering and improper drainage cause damage to impatiens and what you can do to solve the problem.
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Why Are Your Impatiens Overwatered?
Your impatiens are overwatered because you are giving it too much water, there is insufficient drainage, or you are not taking the climate and season into account. Impatiens plant (New Guinea impatiens), aka Busy Lizzie, is remarkably colorful and thrives in shady areas with minimal care.
Usually, the ornamental plant requires moist soil to thrive. That’s why many people think it can consume as much water as we pour into the soil. Well, that’s not true. You will need to control the watering cycle of the annual plant since overwatering will cause wilting of the impatiens flower.
Unfortunately, wilting because of overwatering is the leading cause of dying impatiens. As you overwater the flowery species, its root will start getting damaged. Plus, the leaves and the stem will grow mold and mildew. It results in fungus attack and loss of nutrients. Finally, the flower will die.
– Excessive Watering Leads to Overwatered Impatiens
Your irrigation may be excessive. You may be doing one or both of the following: You are watering too often or too much. You must wait until the soil is slightly dry before watering the plant. Use your finger to do a moisture test – if the top half inch is dry you should water, if it’s still moist you can wait a while longer.
– Lack of Proper Drainage
If your impatiens are in a pot it is possible that the drainage is insufficient. Depending on what you have as substrate it may sometimes start to block the drainage holes. If you are watering by flooding the substrate make sure that the water is draining out of the bottom and not pooling in the container.
– Season and Environment
You should always take the season into account. If the weather is extremely warm it is possible that you will need to water every day. If the weather is cooler, then twice or maybe as little as once a week is fine. In order not to overwater your impatiens you should know what the signs of overwatering are as well – knowing the consequences that follow will keep you vigilant.
– Overwatering Causes Root Rot
Wilt or root rot is the most common sign that you are overwatering the plant. It happens because excessive water traps the root inside the soil. As the soil gets overly moist, the root will start taking more water through its rhizomes.
As the water level starts rising in the soil, at one point, the root will fail to soak more water. So, the moist soil will stay around the root. If the root remains in damp soil too long, the fungus will build around it.
The fungus build-up due to excessive watering will result in the root rotting. So, the damaged root won’t survive for too long.
– Too Much Water Causes Mold and Mildew Growth
Overwatering the impatiens causes mold and downy mildew growth. As the flowery species remain in overly moist soil for an extended period, mold and mildew will grow on the leaves. Thus, you will see a white spackle on the leaves and around the stems. The more you overwater the plant, the faster the fungus will grow.
Unfortunately, fungus development on the leaves will block its pores. So, excessive water can’t pass through the leaves during the guttation period; it will pressurize the cells. Consequently, the cells will burst due to the additional pressure caused by the water through the roots.
– Excessive Guttation
During summer and rainy seasons, guttation is typical for most flowers. It means you will see water droplets on the leaves. However, if you see excessive guttation even during the drier season on the impatiens, it suggests excess moisture in the soil. So, you should be wary of the overwatering problem to impatiens.
One of the easiest ways to identify too much guttation on the impatiens leaves is to check it for a couple of days. If you notice more than usual water droplets on the leaves, you must stop watering the plant immediately.
– Slow Growth and Dullness of the Plant Due to Overwatering
Excessive moisture and water inside the soil deprive the impatiens’s rhizomes of oxygen. Also, due to overwatering, fungus and mold growth will block the leaves’ pores. As a result, the natural food cycle of the plant is disturbed. It slows down the growth of the plant.
On top of that, the blocked pores of the leaves will fail to release carbon dioxide during the food production process. It limits food production. Next, moisture in the soil blocks the nutrient from the soil to the plant through the rhizomes. It, too, reduces natural growth. Also, you will see off-color impatiens flowers – the colors will also start to fade.
How Do You Save Impatiens From Overwatering and its Consequences?
To save impatiens from overwatering and its consequences you must act fast if you see one or multiple signs of overwatering impatiens. Hence, following the tips to save the plant impatiens from overwatering consequences will increase its lifespan. Also, it will stop wilting.
– Stop Watering the Plant
If you suspect you have overwatered the flowery species, you should stop watering it soon. Usually, the flowers will strive in optimally moist soil. So they can go for days without water. As you stop pouring water into the soil, it will help the rhizomes soak up excessive moisture.
Also, without additional water, the soil can soak the present moisture. Thus, continuing not to water the plant for a few days will help reverse the effect of overwatering it.
– Ensure Proper Drainage
You must ensure that impatiens have adequate drainage facilities. When you plant it on raised beds in your garden, it provides naturally improved drainage. You may also use perlite to improve the soil’s drainage system quickly.
Furthermore, you can use organic elements to boost the drainage system. It includes manure and natural composite. You may even pour in shredded leaves of other garden plants.
– Try Repotting the Plant
You can consider repotting impatiens to save them from overwatering consequences. Many gardeners will plant the flower in medium pots for keeping on the balcony and patio space. If you pour too much water into it, the excessive moisture will propel its wilting process.
At this moment, you must repot it. As you choose new pots, you must ensure it has proper drainage. Also, select suitable soil for impatiens. The soil must have proper drainage and humus-rich properties. As you repot the plant, apply a slow-release fertilizer. It will help the plant to revive its growth rate with ample nutrients.
– Treat the Wilting of the Root
Wilting or root rot is a common consequence of overwatering impatiens. Hence, you must treat the rotten root and stop its wilting with proper plant care. For this, follow these steps:
- Carefully remove the soil from the impatiens surroundings. It exposes the roots.
- Now, observe the start of rotten parts. As you identify the damage, use a sharp pair of scissors to carefully cut off the rotten parts of the root.
- Before transplanting the tree to the new pot, apply neem oil. It will decrease the fungal attack of the plant due to overwatering. Also, you should apply adequate fungicide to control the pest for its proper growth.
This way, you may stop further damage to the wilting impatiens. Also, you may use snake plants near the impatiens to maintain proper moisture levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
– How Much Water Do Impatiens Need?
Impatiens need about 2 inches of water every two weeks. Furthermore, the watering requirement of the impatiens soil will depend on the outdoor conditions and soil type. Ideally, impatiens will need 4 inches of water per week when the temperature rises above 80 degrees Fahrenheit or close to it.
– Which Watering Schedule is Ideal for Impatiens?
The watering schedule that is ideal for impatiens is to water them in the morning. As the soil receives adequate water, the root gets enough time to soak the moisture throughout the day. So, it helps in the food production cycle for the plant.
Plus, watering the impatiens in the morning keeps them hydrated all day. So it protects the plant from dehydration. It is crucial because these ornamental plants are susceptible to overheating and dehydration.
Lastly, watering in the morning helps prevent overwatering. It allows the plant to dry if water splashes on the leaves – helping prevent mold problems. It also gives the soil time to dry out during the day if you accidentally overwater.
– What Are Good Tips on Watering Impatiens Properly?
Good tips for water impatiens properly are checking the soil, only watering a little bit at a time, ensuring the root is adequately but not over dampened. Overwatering and dehydration are both enemies of impatiens.First, you must carefully check the surrounding soil. Put your fingertips inside the soil to feel it. Does it feel dry or wet? If the soil is drier than expected, you should consider watering it immediately.
- As you water the impatiens, put only a little water in at a time. Pour in the water slowly and only with the suggested amount. It must cross at most 2 inches for two weeks. In the summertime, double up the watering amount.
- As you water the plant, saturating it is important. While watering impatiens bi-weekly, ensure it dampens the root adequately. For potted ones, the water should drench through the hole. Until then, continue watering it. Then, stop for the next 7 to 10 days.
- During the interval, you should observe the impatiens and the soil from time to time. If you feel dry soil, you should water it.
This way, you can maintain a good watering cycle for the impatiens. It will provide the plant with enough moisture and nutrients. You must also use fertilizer before the blooming season. It will yield more blooms, and the flowers will become more prosperous and vivid.
Conclusion
Impatiens are vivid flowery houseplants. It blooms in spring and frost to enhance the beauty of your garden and landscape. It requires only easy care. However, overwatered impatiens will become limp and unattractive and ruin your labor.
- Both excessive and too little water are dangerous for this plant. So, maintain consistency in your watering cycle.
- Wilting of impatiens might be caused for several reasons. So, look for nematodes and spider mites before suspecting the cause as overwatering.
- For proper plant growth, ensure well-drained soil and a shady location. It will boost the color of the flowers further.
You will love their blooming when you maintain these watering suggestions for impatiens plants. The richness brought to any landscape with these attractive flowers is memorable.
