Downy Mildew vs Your Impatiens

Impatiens in our front flower bed last year

The Ithaca Journal recently wrote an article about the possible risk of downy mildew affecting Impatiens walleria this year, and we here at EBF would offer what we know as well.

Southern Florida has been affected by the presence of downy mildew this year, and as The Ithaca Journal suggests, many growers all over the country are preparing for a possible outbreak in their areas. Unfortunately, it is difficult to predict if we will be hit with the disease, and there is no real protection against it. Downy mildew spores easily detach from the plant and can be spread by wind or water splash. In the landscape, spores can travel for miles via wind currents, and plants not yet showing symptoms may unintentionally infect those around them. It spread most easily in moist conditions.

Early symptoms include leaves with light-green yellowing. The leaves may also curl downward, have gray markings on the upper surface or white fungal growth on the undersides. Advanced symptoms include stunted plant and leaf growth, bare plants as the result of leaf and flower drop and softened, weak stems. 

Although there is currently no cure for downy mildew, there are still steps that can be taken to prevent its spread. We have sprayed the impatiens with a preventative application, but this will not continue to protect the impatiens once they leave the greenhouse.  Once planted, be sure to scout for any symptoms and if seen, remove the infected leaves/plants. Because the spores can survive in the soil, any discarded material should either be buried in an area not near the planting or simply thrown away. Watering early in the day and allowing time to dry out between waterings will help also help to deter downy mildew.

We are offering many of the alternatives suggested in the article including: coleus, begonias, torenia, hypoestes, lobelia, fuschia, and new guinea impatiens, and a variety of perennial options.

One of the varieties of coleus we offer.

Purple torenia (also available in blue, white and pink)

We have several fuschias that come in hanging and upright varieties.

Large new guinea impatien blossoms- with a quarter for size reference.

Shade loving escargot begonias.