Question
2 questions: 1. I started impatiens from seed, transplanted a week ago. No buds apparent. What do i need to grow flowers?
2. I bought pots of dianthus and put into patio pots -- how do I treat them?

thanks.

Answer
Mary Ellen,
If your impatiens are still young, there is nothing you can do to hurry the flowers along.  All plants have a juvenile period that is pre-set....sort of like people, they have to be a particular age or state of development before they can reproduce.  For most annuals, that means a set number of leaves have to be produced before they will bloom.  Just be patient - water them when the soil is dry, and be sure that they are getting at least some sun.  Although Impatiens tolerate shade, they bloom best when they have some early morning or late afternoon sun...at least two hours worth.  If you didn't mix in time-release fertilizer when you planted, fertilize them with a liquid fertiizer every three weeks, after you've watered the bed well.

Your dianthus should be in full sun if possible - water when the pots are dry, and soak them well.  For all plants, a deep soaking less often is better than a little every day.  Containers may dry up daily if the weather is hot, however, so check them morning and night, but only water when the soil looks or feels dry.  Again, if you didn't put in time-release fertilizer you can fertilize them every two to three weeks....however, dianthus are not the most long-blooming plants.  Be they annuals or perennials, you usually get about 4 to 5 weeks of flowers out of them and then they stop....they also bloom best in cool weather.  Also, don't keep dianthus too wet - the leaves will yellow and the plant will die,  If annuals are still sold in six packs where you live you might get some blue salvia, marigolds or ageratum and put each plant in a 6" so that they will be growing and can be used to replace the dianthus if it poops out.

all the best,
C.L.