"Overwintering" New Guinea Impatiens - Ask Extension
With the first cool weather of October, I moved two large potted New Guinea Impatiens from the front steps to the back steps (south side of our house)...
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"Overwintering" New Guinea Impatiens #816789
Asked November 22, 2022, 11:24 AM EST
With the first cool weather of October, I moved two large potted New Guinea Impatiens from the front steps to the back steps (south side of our house). Several weeks of sunny weather caused both to bloom--many beautiful blooms. Just before the first serious frost, I moved both Impatiens inside. They look robust (and are still blooming) in a west-side window. Could they last the winter? I think maybe; my wife thinks no. Advice?
Baltimore County Maryland
Expert Response
You should be able to winter over your Impatiens.
They may drop leaves and flower less nor look their best, but
the goal of overwintering is just to get them through the winter in decent, though not ideal shape. Once they are able to put outside again,(after the danger of frost), they regain their previous beauty.
During the winter give them the best bright light that you can, and try to offer the humidity that they like by placing the pot on a saucer of moist pebbles and mist spray the plant daily.
With the reduced light they will sort of rest and not need as much water. Let the top third of the soil dry out before watering again, but never let the entire pot dry out.
Keep an eye out for insect pests that tend to crop up in the hot, dry in our homes in winter, such as spider mites and aphids.
(Outdoors in summer, beneficial insects and birds help to keep them at bay.)
Christine
They may drop leaves and flower less nor look their best, but
the goal of overwintering is just to get them through the winter in decent, though not ideal shape. Once they are able to put outside again,(after the danger of frost), they regain their previous beauty.
During the winter give them the best bright light that you can, and try to offer the humidity that they like by placing the pot on a saucer of moist pebbles and mist spray the plant daily.
With the reduced light they will sort of rest and not need as much water. Let the top third of the soil dry out before watering again, but never let the entire pot dry out.
Keep an eye out for insect pests that tend to crop up in the hot, dry in our homes in winter, such as spider mites and aphids.
(Outdoors in summer, beneficial insects and birds help to keep them at bay.)
Christine
