My impatiens are the best I've ever had this year here in central Iowa. However, I have not always had such good luck. But I made some changes this year.

What I did this year is to make my own potting soil for the large pots on my deck. I used 1/2 elcheapo potting soil with plant food in it from Wal-Mart and 1/2 peat moss. I used NO addition dry fertilizer. I drilled small holes in the bottoms of all my plastic pots to allow the water to drain freely. I put a smaller pot upsidedown inside the center of the planting pots to cut down on weight and use less soil as I use very large pots.

When I planted the impatiens (4 to a pot) I gave each plant a haircut by cutting the stalks of the bedding plant in half. I have kept the pots wet with morning waterings when no rain is in the forecast. And I have feed them each weekend since father's day with a spray of miracle grow.

I read some where, maybe at Jack Edens website, that impatiens need fresh soil and sould not be planted year after year in the same planting bed. As the salt from most fertilzers will hurt them.

So I think you are right fresh soil is the key

Wow, thanks! That's very interesting. I might slowly work my way through the current planters, dumping them and putting in the fresh mix you describe and some new impatiens. One thing about this has been that I've stopped taking my impatiens for granted! I realize how great they've looked on the terrace, and how much I miss them, so I'm going to take a little trouble with them now. Thanks very much for the advice, it's much appreciated.

Soil can buildup soluable salts after a while and impatiens are rather sensitive to high salts so if this is your problem, bringing in new soil will help you.

However, overwatering is typically the worse problem.

Finally, if the new gunieas do well but the regular ones does not it can also be too much hot afternoon sun.