![]() ![]() Probably the best way for home gardeners to avoid the annoying problem of powdery mildew is to select and plant mildew resistant varieties. If cultural practices fail, fungicides can also be used to control powdery mildew. Remove and destroy disease-infested plant debris in fall. Divide bee balms every 2 to 3 years to prevent overcrowding. Move plants growing in partial shade to a sunny location. When planting bee balms, select a site that receives at least 6 hours of direct sun each day and space plants 2 to 2½ feet apart. ![]() ![]() Symptoms are most severe on overcrowded plants and those growing in partial shade.Ĭultural practices can reduce the severity of powdery mildew. In the garden, limit mold growth with judicious watering, pruning, and thinning of. Powdery mildew is a common fungal disease on bee balms. Garden fungicide sprays such as Defender work to prevent the spread of Powdery Mildew.The symptoms on your bee balms ( Monarda spp.) are most likely due to powdery mildew. When an outbreak does occur, pick off the infected leaves and throw them in the garbage instead of the composter. Powdery Mildew spreads by spores so water drops that splash onto infected leaves cause spores to spray onto healthy foliage, making the problem worse. Try using soaker hoses instead of sprinklers. When watering, keep the stream low to the ground focusing on the soil, not the leaves. Since the plant looks pretty well spent/bloomed out, cut it back and dispose of the cuttings anywhere but in your compost pile - if. You could spray the plants with a fungicide like horticultural oil or Armicarb (a baking soda formulation) to see. That being said, it is hard to know without looking at a sample. Shrubs such as roses and lilacs can be pruned in order to maintain an open growth habit. The only fungal disease they really have a problem with is powdery mildew and usually that is just a powdery coating on the foliage and this looks a little different. Be sure to encourage good air circulation between plants by thinning and dividing every couple of years. Bee balm thrives in USDA plant hardiness zones 4 through 9. Plant it in large clumps so that the pollinators have plenty to feed on in one concentrated area. It’s a wonderful companion plant for the garden since it attracts pollinators. The best control for powdery mildew is to prevent it from occurring in the first place. It’s used to successfully prevent fermentation and mold growth in bee colonies. Many plant breeders have been working feverishly to breed new strains of these plants that are resistant to powdery mildew so keep this in mind before purchasing new plants. Some species of plants are more susceptible to powdery mildew than others, such as phlox, lilacs, bee balm, veronica, lungwort, roses and asters, to name a few. Moisture and high humidity (or poor air circulation) are the most favorable conditions for powdery mildew to grow in. We tend to see powdery mildew outbreaks more during years that are humid or damp. A nice layer of top-dressed compost in the spring followed by a couple inches of mulch will offer. There are two common fertilization techniques for bee balm. This is caused by a fungus called powdery mildew. Plant bee balm in soil with a pH range between 6.0 and 6.7 for best growth, and I like to add some compost to the bed to give the soil extra nutrient value before planting. ![]() In summer, it’s common to see beloved plants turn from beautiful green foliage to a spotty gray mess. ![]()
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