Powdery Mildew Woes
judy musicant
3 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (19)
Rosie1949
3 years agojudy musicant
3 years agoRelated Discussions
powdery mildew infestations?
Comments (10)Hi all you people covered with white powdery stuff.... I have been battling with powdery mildew for years in a very mixed perennial garden...and so far haven't used anything but have done a lot of reading and observing. First: DO NOT water late in the evening and avoid overhead watering IF you can....You can see the overnight results sometimes from mid summer on if you water late in the day...hard to avoid sometimes, I know. The plants must dry quickly to avoid becoming infected. Good ventilation makes all the difference for SOME plants but there are others that are famous for being susceptible to powdery mildew no matter what you do. Still others seem pretty much immune and many fall in between. Summer Phlox is the most famous of all for attracting powdery mildew. I only buy Summer Phlox that say they are resistant. The White Davidii, as someone mentioned is a wonderful phlox that blooms early and strong and has never been a problem in my yard. Two others also stay clear of it. One that I thought was supposed to be resistant had some powerdery mildew this year (Nicky-a purple) and also didn't flower. Powdery mildew not only looks crumby but has a big effect on the flowering and vigour of SOME plants....(Some others seem to tolerate it.) Another plant that I can count on having the dreaded PM is fall aster. Thinning early in the season and keeping it well watered helps to keep it from getting severe-- but get it is does. Never seems to effect the flowering of these though. But of course this is blown in the wind, tracked on the feet (look out grass!) and can spread easily around to other things. Monarda is another perennial that has a reputation for susceptibility amongst the older varieties. In fact, I yanked a red one out all together because of that. As with the summer phlox, there are now good Monardas that are resistant. I now have a large purple one that has remained absolutely free of this fungus and isn't as rampant growing as some of the older ones either.. If you are under the impression that high humidity and moisture will increase powdery mildew....I don't think so. I find that I rarely have a problem in well watered, cool areas. But often do in extra dry areas. ...well ventilated or not. And I am located in the semi-desert area of the North Okanagan of B.C. Personally, I will not use any of the commercial stuff that is recommended so casually in older books for controlling everything under the sun. The only thing I might try IF I was desperate would be something I first saw recommended by Rodale's Chemical Free Yard and Garden (publisher of Organic Garden Magazine). A mixture of baking soda and water with a tiny bit of cooking oil added to help make it stick. I expect that works as I have great faith in Rodale's research, but like I said haven't actually got around to doing that. It is recommended that you spray this on AS SOON AS YOU SEE IT DEVELOPING as it is more effective to catch it early. You might need to repeat after a good rain....See MoreOctober eye candy: 'Frosty Cherry'
Comments (21)Joanne, I wrote an even longer response to this, I'm sure it was totally wordy. Even more so than what follows. I love words and storytelling. BUT lucky for you, it disappeared into the ether. As Frosty Cherry blooms have opened most of them have had an increasing amount of red in them. But to tell the truth, I'd have been perfectly happy to have something that was more white with flushes of another color, like the initial photo. That's where this community comes in: what might you suggest that maybe has a tinge of color, but tends toward white? It's not that I don't cruise violetbarn and selectivegardener fairly regularly, window-shopping as it were. But those aren't the only sources, and they don't tell one anything about performance. And leaves are important to me, as well as flowers. The rest of this is only relevant to people who have nothing better to do at the moment. One of the excellent things about Frosty Cherry is its leaves, as far as I can judge in a mere four months' acquaintance. They're much more regular and tailored-looking than the other Russian that I have, Masha Rasterasha, whose leaves are large and exceedingly flamboyant. Don't get me wrong, I love Masha's leaves! Loved them from the first, when he arrived with only four leaves, but all so happy. (Masha is not a she. For once, this is definitely a "he" violet. He might be gay, but he's a HE. Massively so.) I've been looking around some, at Russians. Foliage definitely trends toward the exuberant devil-may-care side, when I can find illustrations. When I knew nothing about Russians vs anything else, I just went shopping and picked some stuff the blossoms of which appealed to me. Pictures of flowers were generally all that was available, not pictures of whole plants. I knew it was a risky way to shop but there seems at present to be no other way. I strongly believe marketers need to offer pictures of whole plants, not just flowers. Anyway, I got what I got, and I'm working with it. I reckon if some of them fade into the sunset over time, well. They won't be the first, nor the last, and I'll have learned something....See MoreMini rose bush / powdery mildew?
Comments (9)I sometimes try to throw the cornmeal under that plant but it all lands in one clump. Organic fertilizer hates being in a clump, so when you drop it down through the middle of the plant there is a Plinko effect which randomizes the droppage through the leaves. Cornmeal is one of the ingredients in many organic fertilizers. When the beneficial microbes in the soil decompose it, in about 3 weeks the end result is plant food. That is why organic fertilizer is said to be slow release. Actually it is slow decomp followed by very fast uptake by the plants....See MoreIs powdery mildew in Akebia in NW avoidable?
Comments (1)where are you.... big city name.. mildews in fall are ubiquitous for most of us... research indicates its a deciduous plant.. its september.. ugly leaves in sept usually arent a big deal for me.. clean them up when they fall off.. and be done with it.. should you wish to have avoided this.. you should have been spraying all summer long.. BEFORE it appeared... those black spots.. dont look like powdery mildew to me... ken...See MoreRosie1949
3 years agoNorthern Gardener (3b west central MN)
3 years agojudy musicant
3 years agoNorthern Gardener (3b west central MN)
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoNorthern Gardener (3b west central MN)
3 years agojudy musicant
3 years agoNorthern Gardener (3b west central MN)
3 years agojudy musicant
3 years agoPaul MI
3 years agojudy musicant
3 years agoNorthern Gardener (3b west central MN)
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoirina_co
3 years agojudy musicant
3 years agoRosie1949
3 years agoirina_co
3 years agoNorthern Gardener (3b west central MN)
3 years ago
Related Stories
GARDENING GUIDESGreat Design Plant: Rosa Banksiae a Low-Maintenance Beauty
This thornless, disease- and insect-resistant rose brings showers of white or yellow flowers to the spring garden
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESHummingbirds and Butterflies Will Love You for Planting This
North American native scarlet beebalm is a true multipurpose plant in both garden and kitchen. Here’s how to grow it
Full StoryCALIFORNIA GARDENINGCalifornia Gardener’s July Checklist
This month, you’ll find delicious stone fruit to taste, veggies and berries to harvest, and an easy way to save water
Full StoryMOST POPULARHow to Get Rid of Household Mold
Find out how to work with a pro to stop mold from damaging your house and health — and how to prevent it from forming
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESPlanting Guide: How to Grow Dahlias
Plant these quick-growing bloomers in spring for a dazzling flower display from midsummer to fall
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESGreat Design Plant: Lonicera Sempervirens
Grow this long-blooming, flashy flowering vine to cover a fence or arbor and attract hordes of hummingbirds all season long
Full StoryGARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIESGreat Design Plant: Lungwort
Yes, the name is unfortunate. But the flowers and foliage are delightful, and this perennial is easy to grow and shunned by deer
Full StorySIDE YARD IDEASNarrow Trees for Tight Garden Spaces
Boost interest in a side yard or another space-challenged area with the fragrance and color of these columnar trees
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDESBathroom Remodel Insight: A Houzz Survey Reveals Homeowners’ Plans
Tub or shower? What finish for your fixtures? Find out what bathroom features are popular — and the differences by age group
Full StoryBATHROOM MAKEOVERSWhat I Learned From My Master Bathroom Renovation
Houzz writer Becky Harris lived through her own remodel recently. She shares what it was like and gives her top tips
Full StorySponsored
More Discussions
judy musicantOriginal Author