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Delphiniums

PAT 9PAT 9 Posts: 23
in Plants

Having trouble with what looks like white mildew on 4 delphiniums this summer.  The well established plants were covered in it last summer so when the fresh leaves appeared this summer I sprayed them with fungus killer.  However, the mildew appeared again later, even the stems of the flowers caught it.

One of my delphiniums 30ft away from the others also caught it again this year.

Should I dig them all out and start again next year.  Could the disease be in the soil or do weather conditions cause the problem?  Is it airborne?  I garden on light sandy soil which does have a thin layer of compost put on every autumn.

Any good advice greatly appreciated.

Posts

  • pansyfacepansyface Posts: 21,915

    I WOULD VENTURE TO SUGGEST THAT YOUR DELPHINIUMS ARE LONGING FOR SOME DEEP, HUMUS-RICH LOAMY SOIL IN WHICH TO WRIGGLE THEIR ROOTS.

    THE MILDEW IS A SIGN OF DRYNESS AT THE ROOTS AS WELL AS ATMOSPHERIC MOISTURE.

    THIS WINTER DIG THEM UP, TRYING NOT TO DISTURB THEIR ROOT SYSTEMS TOO MUCH, DIG A MUCH BIGGER HOLE, FILL IT UP WITH LEAF LITTER, HOME MADE COMPOST, WATER-RETENTIVE SUBSTANCES ETC, REPLANT THEM, WATER IN WELL AND KEEP THEM MOIST ALL SUMMER.

    Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
    If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
  • pansyfacepansyface Posts: 21,915

    WHY NOT LIFT THEM VERD? I MOVE MINE AROUND THE PLACE WHEN I THINK THE COLOUR WOULD BE BETTER SOMEWHERE ELSE.

    WHAT MAKES YOU RECOMMEND LEAVING THEM IN SITU?

    Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
    If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
  • pansyfacepansyface Posts: 21,915

    RIGHT.

    I'VE NEVER TRIED CUTTINGS.

    HOW DO YOU DO THOSE?

    Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
    If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
  • pansyfacepansyface Posts: 21,915

    WHAHAYYYY!

    GOOD IDEA.

    Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
    If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
  • PAT 9PAT 9 Posts: 23

    Thank you all for your advice - I think the deep mulch is the action to take because they are also in full sun!   I also put ashes on the soil from my wood burner - maybe overdoing it????

    I am always watering deep into the soil because I have many other plants in front of them which dry out quickly.

    Thanks all of you, happy gardening.

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