heuchera with powdery mildew

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monkapotamus Winston Salem, NC(Zone 7b) Apr 10, 2010

I have several heucheras, most are doing fine, but one ( that is in a container) has powdery mildew growing on the lower part of the stems. I have tried a baking soda based spray, and it doesn't seem to be helping much. I've had the plant for a few years, and have read that they need to be dug up and re-planted every few years, lower down into the soil, since the new growth comes up on top of the stem and they get a little taller each year. The lower stem with the woody bits from previous years is where the trouble is. If I dug it up and planted it lower, would it solve the mildew problem? Would the mildew continue to grow under the soil? Or, should I get the mildew killed off first, and then re-plant it?

Post #7695764
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cyclops101 Wakefield, RI Apr 11, 2010

Just wondering if you added a surfactant to your baking soda mix. A surfactant helps the solutions active ingredient to spread and stick to the plants foliage. If you have not added a surfactant try adding 1/2 teaspoon per gallon of a mild liquid soap (Dawn, Palmolive, ect.) to your mix. Powdery mildew usually attacks the new growth and is an indication of poor environment such as poor air circulation, low light levels, overhead watering. Most plants survive powdery mildew but they do get stressed due to foliage loss. You might try removing the infected leaves. There are a number of fungicides on the market that are effective for mildew control available at Home Depot or Lowes. Mildew will persist in the soil and on affected foliage. My suggestion would be to try to improve air circulation, do not water over the top, go easy on high nitrogen fertilizers ( the first number ) and remove infected foliage. Replanting deeper should not be an issue.

Post #7696172
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monkapotamus Winston Salem, NC(Zone 7b) Apr 11, 2010

Thanks for the help. I did have a bit of Dawn in the solution. I guess I'll try moving the plant into a sunnier place, and then step up to a stronger fungicide if this persists. I've read milk can help. The previous owners here left some copper fungicide- the product calls itself organic, but I thought I'd try the milder seeming options first.

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