BUSY LIZZIE SHORTAGE....AGAIN.

ARMANDII · Jan 12, 2013

Here's an extract from an article in the Amateur Gardening Magazine:

Bedding Busy Lizzie are set to be in short supply for a second year running.
Seed and young plant supplier Thompson and Morgan has decided not to re-introduce the border and hanging basket favourite to it's 2013 catalogue due to the global spread of impatients downy mildew.
The disease, which prompted T&M to pull Impatiens Walleriana from it's catalogues in 2012, quickly wipes out plants during warm, damp weather. The decision to stop supplying bedding Busy Lizzies last year cost T&M around £1 million in lost sales.
T&M Young Plants Managing Director, Paul Hansord, told AG the mildew has now spread across Europe and has even struck in the USA too.
"I do not want our customers wasting time [growing them] only to be disappointed" explainded Paul. "This is a long term decision".
Paul said that customers turned to Begonias instead last year, which made up 25 per cent of lost Busy Lizzie sales. Lilies and Dahlias also did well , but sales of New Guinea Busy Lizzies, which do not succumb to mildew, were not as promising as T&M hoped.
Retail giant B&Q has also decided to pull the plug on Busy Lizzies. A spokeswoman said "We're not going to re-introduce them this year. There is still a risk of disease. We are working with growers to provide alternatives for the public"
But Suttons, which offered Impatiens Walleriana last year, will continue to supply seeds and young plants. A spokeswoman said "Sales of young plants dropped heavily, up to 60 per cent, when the mildew probem became known. However, a bit of a recovery is taking place and sales are now rising.
Mr Fothergills said it would also be offering Impatiens Walleriana this year. A spokesman said "They still sell. However, since the mildew problem, sales are around half of what they used to be.
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JWK · Jan 12, 2013

Thanks for the tip off Armandii.

Last year I ordered and grew 120 Busy Lizzies from plug plants, it was rather stupid of me as I'd read about this disease the year before but then forgot all about it. My plants grew strongly until mid-summer then were hit by Downy Mildew, it completey obliterated them within a few days.

I notice T&M are selling New Guinea impatiens which are supposed to be resistant, but personally I won't be taking another chance with them.

HarryS · Jan 12, 2013

Since the demise of standard BLs 2 years ago I have grown New Guineas and a sub variety of these called Sunpatiens® very nice plants . I have just bought some New Guinea seeds from Ebay USA so we will see how they go this year . Hopefully soon Bizzie Lizzies will be back , I know they are considered a bit common and naff , but I loved them

HarryS · Jan 13, 2013

The Sunpatiens are resistant to mildew and come in 2 sizes . Compact for baskets and Vigorous for containers . Photo below is a Lilac one grown in part shade , in mid Nov 2011 ( on a rather dirty patio ! )
http://www.climbingplantsdirect.com/Category.asp?SearchText=sunpatiens

strongylodon · Jan 13, 2013

New Guinea Impatiens are mildew resistan,t I grew thousands of them fo the Parks in Weymouth for years. To grow from seed is not so easy as they require higher growing temperatures with a minimum of 12c nights and 20c days or growth can be slow and possibly cause wilt and eventual collapse. I personally would recommend buying as plugs

JWK · Jan 13, 2013

I'm tempted to give the New Guinea Impatiens a try this year going by all your experiences.

HarryS · Jan 13, 2013

Only problem with new Guineas is they are a bit expensive , you may be able to find a tray of plugs on line cheaper.
I can't believe some of the big boys are still selling BL's this year !( Suttons and Fothergills ) The demise of them due to the mildew seems to be 99% in all parts of the country.
How come if something is bad it spreads like wildfire , if it is good it struggles

Spruce · Jan 13, 2013

plant French/African Marigold instead , I grow them every year so much choice of colours and height, easy to grow from seed and cheap

Is it a case of if we all dont grow them for a couple of years the disease will die out ?? with impatiens ?? or is it here to stay

Spruce

ARMANDII · Jan 13, 2013

Well, the problem as I see it, Spruce, is that while Seed and Plant Retailers continue to sell Impatiens Walleriana the longer it will continue the risk of the disease existing.

Spruce · Jan 13, 2013

Same crazynes with the Spanish Bluebell I was in the garden Centre in December they had lots for sale , and all that press attention about it crossing with our English Bluebell, I suppose no buyers will sort the problem out.
I bought a mix of wild flower seed UK, for along the river edge when I read the packet told me only for garden use do not sow in the wild !!!

Spruce

ARMANDII · Jan 13, 2013

sounds about right, Spruce.

Jenny namaste · Jan 13, 2013

Spruce said: ↑
Same crazynes with the Spanish Bluebell I was in the garden Centre in December they had lots for sale , and all that press attention about it crossing with our English Bluebell, I suppose no buyers will sort the problem out.
I bought a mix of wild flower seed UK, for along the river edge when I read the packet told me only for garden use do not sow in the wild !!!

Spruce
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BUSY LIZZIE SHORTAGE....AGAIN.

ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

JWK Gardener Staff Member

HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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strongylodon Old Member

JWK Gardener Staff Member

HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

Spruce Glad to be back .....

ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

Spruce Glad to be back .....

ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

Jenny namaste Total Gardener

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BUSY LIZZIE SHORTAGE....AGAIN.

ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

JWK Gardener Staff Member

HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

strongylodon Old Member

JWK Gardener Staff Member

HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

Spruce Glad to be back .....

ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

Spruce Glad to be back .....

ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

Jenny namaste Total Gardener

Busy Lizzies

Busy Lizzie Mildew

Planting Impatiens / Busy Lizzies

Safe to Grow Busy Lizzies 2017 ?

Busy Lizzie woes (pot plant)

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