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Most gardeners are familiar with impatiens, also known as busy Lizzies, which are popular bedding plants and are eager to learn how to Prune Impatiens.
Impatiens are one of the most popular bedding plants, and they’re also one of the easiest to care for. But even easy-care plants need a little bit of pruning now and then to keep them looking their best.
Pruning impatiens is a simple matter of deadheading the spent blooms and shaping the plant as needed.
Pruning impatiens is relatively simple and this article would be considered how to Prune Impatiens.
Steps To Pruning Impatiens
Pruning impatiens is a simple process that can help keep your plants healthy and blooming all season long. Here are a few easy steps to follow when pruning your impatiens:
Step 1: Start By Removing Any Dead Or Dying Leaves Or Stems
Start by removing any dead or dying leaves or stems. This will help the plant to focus its energy on new growth. Next, cut back any leggy stems.
These are stems that are significantly longer than the others. They can be cut back by a third or even half, depending on how long they are.
Finally, remove any overcrowded stems. These are stems that are growing too close together and crowding out the other stems. Cutting them back will allow more air and light to reach the center of the plant.
If there are any stems that are brown or black, you can cut them back with a sharp pair of scissors. Once you have removed all of the dead growth, you can move on to the next step.
Step 2: Remove Dead Foliage
When pruning impatiens, and if you want your impatiens to look their best, it’s important to remove dead foliage on a regular basis.
Dead leaves and flowers can make the plant look unhealthy and can also lead to disease.To remove dead foliage, simply snip off the affected leaves and flowers at the base of the plant.
It’s best to do this in the morning so that the plant has time to recover before nightfall. You can also use a small pair of scissors or a sharp knife.
Be sure to dispose of the dead foliage in a trash can or compost bin so that it doesn’t spread diseases to other plants.
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Step 3: Cut Back Leggy Plants
Once you have removed all the dead, diseased or damaged leaves and stems, it’s time to cut back any leggy plants.
Leggy plants are those that have long, spindly stems with few leaves. Cutting these plants back will encourage them to grow new stems that are shorter and bushier, which will in turn produce more leaves and flowers.
To prune a leggy plant, start by cutting it back to about 6 inches (15 cm) above the soil line.
Then, cut each stem at an angle so that water will run off of them more easily. Finally, remove any remaining leaves that are lower down on the stem.
Step 4: Give Your Impatiens A Light Shaping If Desired
If you want to encourage your impatiens to grow in a certain direction or shape, give them a light shaping. This can be done by lightly pinching back the tips of the stems.
Pinching back impatiens encourages them to branch out, resulting in a fuller plant.
As with all pruning, be sure to use clean, sharp shears and make cuts at a 45-degree angle.
When Should You Cut Back Impatiens?
Impatiens are annual flowers that bloom in the spring and summer. They can be planted in the spring and will bloom all season long. However, impatiens can become leggy and overgrown by mid-summer.
When this happens, it is time to cut them back cutting back impatiens will encourage them to branch out and become fuller. This will also help to prevent them from getting too leggy.
To do this, simply trim off the tips of the stems, about 2-3 inches from the top. You can also cut back any stems that are longer than the others.
You should only need to cut back impatiens once during the growing season. However, if they become overgrown again later on, you can repeat the process.
Do You Cut Back Impatiens in Winter?
Although impatiens are technically annuals, they can often last for several years with proper care.
This means that you may not need to purchase new plants every year, which can save you money in the long run.
Many gardeners choose to cut back their impatiens in winter, which gives the plant a chance to rest and rejuvenate before the growing season begins again in spring.
To properly prune your impatiens, wait until all the leaves have fallen off and the stems are dry and brittle. Then, use sharp shears to cut the stems down to about 6 inches above the ground.
Be sure to disinfect your shears before and after use to prevent the spread of disease. After cutting back your impatiens, add a layer of mulch around the plant to help protect it from frost damage.
Conclusion
Pruning impatiens is a simple process that can be done to improve the look of your plants and encourage new growth.
By following these easy steps mentioned in this article and with just a little bit of basic care, your impatiens will continue to bloom all season long.
