Causes of Root Rot in Impatiens, Solutions, and a Guide to Overwintering Safely

Impatiens, also known as touch-me-not, loves sunlight and fears moisture; it tolerates heat but not cold, is vigorous and adaptable, and generally suffers from few pests or diseases. But home-grown impatiens sometimes develop root rot, sowhat causes impatiens root rot? What should you do? How can you get it through winter safely?

I. Causes of root rot in impatiens

1. Overwatering

Overwatering affects root growth and also causes water to accumulate; once waterlogging occurs, root rot is an unavoidable problem.

2. Poor soil aeration

When the soil has poor aeration, the roots cannot breathe and cannot absorb nutrients, so the roots rot; if water accumulates in the potting soil and cannot drain away, it will also cause root rot.

3. Too high a fertilizer concentration

If you fertilize impatiens with too high a concentration, it will burn the roots, the root system will also turn black, and in severe cases it can even kill the whole plant.

II. Solutions for root rot in impatiens

1. Water must be given in moderation; do not water excessively or too frequently. Especially during the dormant period of impatiens, be sure to control the amount of water and wait until the soil has dried before watering.

2. Change to soil with good aeration and drainage, so the roots can breathe normally and excess water in the potting soil can drain away faster.

3. Control the amount of fertilizer, and do not make the fertilizer concentration too high; apply dilute fertilizer frequently. If you have applied too much fertilizer, increase the amount of water so the excess fertilizer drains away as quickly as possible. Once root rot is found, promptly cut off the rotted roots so they do not harm more roots, then disinfect the roots and replant.

III. Overwintering care for impatiens

1. Winter behavior

Impatiens is extremely intolerant of cold. Generally, the seeds mature in autumn, and then the whole plant gradually begins to wither. Once winter arrives, growth naturally stops completely, and the aboveground parts also appear dead, meaning that at this point the impatiens has entered dormancy to protect itself.

2. Light management

Impatiens likes light and prefers a warm environment. Whether grown indoors in pots or planted in a courtyard, it is best to choose a sunny spot. In winter, do not assume your impatiens no longer needs care and leave it, pot and all, in a dark place; that is not right. Even during dormancy, make sure the impatiens gets plenty of light, so that when winter passes and spring arrives, the impatiens will still sprout and still bloom.

3. Water management

Impatiens is extremely tenacious and does not require much effort from growers in day-to-day care, but in winter there is one point to pay special attention to: although light should still be kept as abundant as in other seasons, water does not need to be. Because impatiens stops growing during dormancy and its aboveground parts completely wither, only the roots need a small amount of water, so growers must remember never to overwater; either do not water at all, or, when the potting soil is truly especially dry, water just a small amount.

Impatiens grown outdoors will completely wither in winter, and the seeds that fall below may sprout on their own the following spring!