Conundrum

bkay2000

8 years ago

The question is whether to leave the hosta where they sit or move them under the overhang of the porch.

According to the newspaper, we will have a very wet and cool winter (you folks up north will be warmer than usual). This is supposed to be the strongest el Nino year since 1997.
You all have heard me whine all year about my continuing disease problems, which are mostly fungal in nature. Although the problems have slowed, I'm sure they are not cured. Some don't seem to have huge problems (fragrants), but I think some more have succombed.

With the extra rainfall, my hosta will likely stay wet all winter. (All four of the hosta I had in 1997 survived just fine, but they were not fighting a disease.) If I put them on the porch, they will be drier, but will be close together. A&M told me to not keep them so close. (Rhizoctonia is very contagious, apparently.)

I can't decide which is worse (or better) - dry and close or wet and spread out. With the overhang, might it hold the fungus spores in and make the spread easier from pot to pot?

Featured Answer

Jon 6a SE MA

8 years ago

Ken, baking soda works on mold and mildew by lowering the PH. Vinegar works by raising the PH. Household cleaning tips often include using baking soda followed by a vinegar solution. The problem with using it in the garden is long-term use is destructive to the enzymes in the soil which leads to more problems. Lowering and then raising the PH in a garden (any) would be a recipe for disaster.

Both of these are 'controls' and do not eliminate the problem. Systemic fungicides work longer and may eliminate the problem if caught early enough, but mold and mildew are very tough problems that are best addressed very early on and with perseverance.

The best prevention is opening up spaces and keeping air circulating resulting in a drier area in which mold or mildew is far less likely to form. A systemic fungicide before symptoms appear in an area prone to this problem would be a very good idea.

Ammonia is also effective as a control.

Jon

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Comments (11)

Jon 6a SE MA
8 years ago
My only experience with fungus is powdery mildew and that came back 3 years after there were no plantings. They do recommended letting as much air around them as possible. Is there any chance of setting them up in a stadium seating or other open arrangement to get circulation? My guess is that keeping them drier would be the best bet....

Jon
bkay2000
Original Author
8 years ago
Yes, Jon, I do have stadium seating on the other side of the yard. I'll move that to the porch. When they finish dying back, most will fit there. I also have an outdoor plug there, so I can set up a cheap fan to run all the time. Given it's not making cold or hot, it should not cost that much to run.

Thanks for the idea.

bk
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for most of us.. plants are dormant.. or near dormant in winter.. the declination of the sun dictates slower growing period.. regardless of temps ... ergo.. they dont need as much light as during the prime growing season ... so i would consider you space full sun during the growing season.. and not restrict my plant choice for this reason .. also.. if there is blue sky above.. its a different kind of shade... and also doesnt much limit plant choice .... if you have overhanging limbs and what not.. its a dark intense shade.. which could effect plants.. but with blue sky.. there arent many limitations... dont ask me why.. just take my word for it.. shortened to..because i said so.. lol .. ken
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santamiller
8 years ago
If you don't want to mess with moving them I had thought of maybe using the cheap plastic pot saucers to place over the pots when you know it's going to rain. That of course will cut off all air but they would only cover the pots for short periods of time. It would be a pain to put them on and take them off, no telling how many times, but it does leave them in the current spots if that's more important to you.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
My only experience with fungus is powdery mildew ==>>> can a mildew be a fungus?

====

using the cheap plastic pot saucers to place over the pots when you know it's going to rain. ===>>> not unless you somehow .. to quote carson ... hermetically seal it on ...

===>>>

think about it BK ... whats the down side if you lose a diseased plant ..???

anyway .... one thing for sure... it isnt going to get so cold that your pots are going to freeze solid ... is it???? ... so then ... you need to put off all the advice that you have read about freezing the roots into an ice cube.. that lacks the requisite air santa alludes to ...

i just dont know the answer for your warmer zone peeps?? ... all i can do.. is speculate on the issues i see .. and leave you to figure it out...

ken
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
8 years ago
i had to edit the above ... because my little finger twitched.. and somehow the post got sent in the middle of typing ... make sure you read it all.. for what its worth anyway .. lol

ken
Jon 6a SE MA
8 years ago
can a mildew be a fungus?==>>> Mildew is defined as a flat thin fungus growth on mold. Mold and mildew are different types of fungus, thus the different names.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
8 years ago
cool jon ... just making sure.. other readers understand ...

as we both know.. powdery mildew can be effectively treated with baking soda ...

but i would posit.. there arent many other fungi.. that could be.. but you can correct me on that speculation ... if i am wrong ...

ken
bkay2000
Original Author
8 years ago
ken, I guess it wouldn't matter. However, I have a few that seem to have dodged the bullet completely or mostly. I hope they don't get it. I'd hate to lose everything, although it's not out of the realm of reason that I will. It's hard to tell this time of year whether they are dying down from disease or just the regular seasonal die back. I had over 80 at the start of the season. I now have under 40, of which i guess I will lose another 15.

If I lose them all, at least I can start with a clean slate. I also know what does well for me and what doesn't.

bk
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
8 years ago
protect the good ones... dont worry about those that you dont care about...

maybe cut your work load in half..

plus.. its an experiment .... maybe you will learn something... what?? .. i dont know.. lol ...

ken
josephines167 z5 ON Canada
8 years ago
Good luck, Bk with whatever solution you decide upon. :)

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