My impatiens were planted late, and they are very leggy, instead of bushy, so how can I fix the problem?

Answer by  sooz (644)

Fix your problem by trimming the leggy pieces off of the impatiens so the plant is in more of a bush shape. Keep the plant in the bush shape by trimming any new leggy pieces that grow. I don't think planting impatiens late would cause this problem though. There might be another reason.

Answer by  BrendaG (6111)

These plants will shed their own flowers when dead, but pinching them off will help the plant become bushier. Make sure you are giving them enough sunlight, but keep out of direct afternoon sun. Fertilize with a high phosporus food during their growing season. Water regularly and make sure they have a good drainage system.

Answer by  Deb1229 (26)

You can cut them back to just a few leaves on each stem or leave the branches a little longer. It will send out new side shoots from the leaf nodes. Don't expect them to flower as before, but keep deadheading and cutting back. They will get fuller over time.

Answer by  Valentine62 (2131)

Trim plants down with shears or scissors in the fall. The next spring, when in bloom, pick off dead flowers to produce a more bushier effect.

Answer by  blahblah (670)

Impatiens respond well to pruning. If you cut your plants back, they will put out new branches and look fuller. Take a scissors or pruning shears and cut back to about 3 to 4 inches above the last branching. Next year, prune your plants at the time you plant them.

Answer by  Liz59 (10966)

Well, you can fix the problem by changing the soil. Adjust the soil so that it is the special horticultural soil. That will give the plants the necessary nutrients that are required and help it from going to leggy to going to bushy in texture and shape. And that is what you are trying to achieve.

Answer by  Latin4 (11170)

It might be too late to fix this. You can try and pick off the leggy part if you see a start of another sprout. Impatiens do not like sun, they should be planted in part sun/shade, and water daily. They like warm weather, but up north we plant them around 1st week in June.