Do impatiens come back every year? Or do you have to regrow them every year?
Impatiens are annuals and need to be replaced each year. However, these flowers propagate very easy so you can always get additional plants from their cuttings. Here is an article that you may find helpful: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/impatiens/growing-impatiens-flowers.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/impatiens/impatiens-rooting.htm
You don't mention where you live. They are perennials in Zones 10 and 11. These are areas where there is no frost in winter. If you do not know your zone, search the internet for plant zone map.
What is wrong with my impatiens? The leaves have all gone yellow with brown spots.
Generally, yellowing of the leaves is often attributed to too much water, which can also spawn fungal infections. The brown spots can result from water that has splashed on the foliage or fungal black spot. Back off on water and see if it helps at all. If not, the problem is likely due to a fungal infection and the plants will usually not survive. However, impatiens propagate easily so it may be possible to clip a healthy cutting (or two) and root it in case replacement of the plant is necessary.
My impatiens are getting very leggy and I was told to pinch them off. Exactly where do you do the pinching off?
It would be a big job to pinch these back since they usually are heavily "branched." I take a scissor and give them a haircut to about four inches tall or so. This will, hopefully, initiate some new growth and blooms. Fertilize every two weeks or so (only after they are well-watered). I don't know where you live but the tremendous heat and drought we are having in Texas is making all my annuals look very worn out. Some are just going to have to be replaced.
My impatiens' leaves have turned a whitish/grayish color. Can you tell me what this is and what I need to buy and do to make this go away?
It sounds like they may have developed gray mold, or botrytis. Once this fungal disease starts, it will spread to the rest of the healthy plant. Botrytis thrives in humid, damp conditions with cool nights. Spores are spread by wind and splashing rain or water from one plant to another. You will need to keep some ventilation going and remove all dead and dying parts of the plant to deter the mold from growing. You can spray the plants with an approved fungicide (check the label) to keep the disease from spreading but will not stop already infected plants.
The impatiens' leaves are turning grayish and are falling off or being eaten by some insect. What can I do?
This could be attributed to Botrytis blight, also know as gray mold, which is a fungal disease. Since it spreads easily, it’s best to discard the entire plant. OR your plants may be affected by spider mites. White flecks or webbing on the underside of the leaves are good indications of spider mites. The leaves of impatiens will begin to look gray or bronze in color as more damage is done. A heavy infestation will cause leaves to die and drop off. You can use neem oil or insecticidal oil to kill spider mites.
I have a problem with my busy lizzys. They have flowered and then the flowers have gone. They have gone all leggy, then they are wilting. What has happened please?
Too much fertilizer can cause leggy plants and reduced flowering. Pinch them back to 6 inches and they should regrow as bushier plants. Leggy plants are also fixed by trimming off the plant so that it looks more like a bush shape.
Wilting may be a sign of stress. This article may help pinpoint the problem: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/impatiens/impatiens-problems.htm
What makes the leaves on my impatiens turn yellow and the plant look sickly?
Generally, yellowing of the leaves is often attributed to too much water, which can also spawn fungal infections. Back off on water and see if it helps at all. If not, the problem is likely due to a fungal infection and the plants will usually not survive. However, impatiens propagate easily so it may be possible to clip a healthy cutting (or two) and root it in case replacement of the plant is necessary.