If you read the article well, it implies that the suspected infections started from infected cuttings. zounds. They are seldom grown from cutting propagated stock in this country. I'd say 99% or greater are seed grown each spring and grown on by plug. This has obviously been in introduced disease, much as the horrible plague of powedery mildrew on poinsettias sometime back in the early 90s. I had purchased top of the line cuttings from one of the best breeders, and the apparently healthy stock had already been innoculated. If you must have them, start from seed grown stock. It may mean finding a local smaller grower, but don't start out with any cutting grown stock. No, people like us cannot always control downy mildew regardless of the chemicals we have access to. And many growers do not prophylactically treat plants for this disease and once it settles into your crops, you really can't eradicate it well. Keep it under control yes, but eradicate it .........no. Not a big problem for container crops lie a poinsettia which will not be set outside, and the customer doesn't expect to plant in the gardens. But a really bad headache for someonew who would intend to grow it on at home. You can do some things culturally to help your plants from being succesceptible to it, and you can treat them before the fact to prevent it from moving into your culture, if you are into chemical use. But, it will be well established by the time you see the powdery colonies under the leaves. If you plant them you are also setting up a potential vector pool to pass the disease along if they become infected. It might be wise if the governement says to take a break from growing them to do just that. It stops an epidemic in its tracks. They're called buzy lizzies because of the constant profuse blooming. btw Most of the disease problems with impatiens in this country in humid or wet weather is caused by botrytis. We've also had some problems with impatien necrotic spot syndrome.

Don't chance it, if you have frost warnings tonight, then yes, absolutely cover them up, Impatiens are very tender to frost. Do you have any old sheets, light blankets, towels? Whatever you use, don't use plastic to cover your plants. Sharon

Hi April 15, Chances are you treated them too well. They like in a natural environment with a semi moist surface and not too much humidity. I mix my dry seed with coarse, dry sand and shake out through a coarse holed ex-food spice container onto just moist seed raising mix in a tray, cover the tray with glass and put it in the shade - I do not cover the seed ie plant to any depth. No more water is needed and in a week or 2 (seasonal), they are starting to germinate. Remove cover bit by bit and monitor moistness. Move into more dappled light as they grow. If dry, water lightly. As plant increases in size, increase water and fertilizer. Pot on before too big. Good luck. Regards, Brain Kerr. PS Mr Impatiens is the one to ask really as I am only just delving into hybridizing, though do have gardening experience.

Mark, Many thanks for the offer, and I would be very glad to take it up. I was trying to e-mail you, but have forgotten how to do it from here. I have plants I can send you cuttings of too. I come to Garden Web still. I was amazed to hear about my post after all those years. Marguerite