I usually have a great display of busy lizzies which I grow from collecting the previous year's seeds. This year however, they came along beautifully in my greenhouse but within a few weeks of putting them out they were reduced to just bare stalks I did hear that there was an air borne virus attacking busy lizzies this year so maybe it was that. Is this just confined to UK I wonder or has anyone else had this problem?
This is the first year I haven't grown Busy Lizzies Pat so I can't really help you out I'm afraid. Whatever is attacking them is obviously in the air, as you say, or is something that has a great liking for the taste of your Busy Lizzies. Let's hope that next year you have plants that thrive in the garden and give you lots of summer pleasure.
They don't seem to have been eaten Eileen, the leaves just went all limp and shrivelled up as if being attacked by some sort of virus. It's such a shame as they put on such a long lasting display as you know. Apparently the seed stockists are getting a little concerned as they could eventually become extinct. This is why I was interested to learn if our fellow GardenStewers were still enjoying them in other parts of the world as at least we will be able to still get seeds.
Pat I found this on the internet that I thought might throw some light on what is happening to your plants. http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/Pro ... px?pid=205
I had that problem for a few years and no one seemed to know what it was. The year before last the Impatiens died within 2 weeks of putting them out. I planted Begonia's in their place after that and then again last summer. This year I tried Impatiens there again and they are fine. It looks to me like it was indeed downy mildew. Give your garden a year off from Impatiens and then try again.
Many thanks for that link Eileen. That photo looks exactly like what has happened to my plants. I will remove the remaining ones as soon as I can. Netty I think Imay well do as you say take a year off. After all there are plenty of other lovely plants to grow instead.
I am very proud of my white Lizzies this year Hidden hostas & busy Lizzies ( photo / image / picture from stratsmom's Garden ) How do you collect seeds? I have never noticed seed pods :-? You mention mildew, I noticed some of my columbines have that :'( Maybe because we have been so hot
WOW that is one beautiful busy lizzie stratsmom. To collect seeds you may notice a seed pod developing after the flower is spent. It will fatten up and get a paler green as it does so. You have to be quick though as once they get too big they just pop and the seeds go everywhere. If you get a fat seed pod, try not to touch it with your hand or that may make it pop, detatch it from the plant by the little piece of the stalk and handle it that way and pop it into a bag as soon as you can. I usually carry a bag round with me so I can pop them in straight away as the slightest touch makes them explode.
