Monday 20 July 2020

Acanthus and Powdery Mildew


Acanthus are always at risk of developing powdery mildew. In fact they are the first plant listed on the RHS website that is in danger of attracting this fungal disease. This only occurred on the plant above after the flower heads were developing, and there were so many this year that I resisted the option of chopping down to ground level.

Apparently the answer is to provide a good mulch in the spring and to remove the bottom layer of leaves to allow air to circulate. Overhead watering in mid morning in dry weather may help.


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