Phlox in the border.

Pretty planting. :o)

do you get much mildew on your Pholx ?

I think I've got powdery mildew on some Penstemon cuttings.
What's the answer, please ?
Can I paint the leaves with something ? :o)

John - no, not usually, but this year, yes. I cut the stems back to ground level.

TT - I am surprised! I really have no idea, I'm afraid... not something I've come across in Penstemons. If they are cuttings, I guess they might be heading for the compost bin... :-(

Don't think I'll give up on them yet.
I've started searching GoY for answers.
Came across this reply from Lori, which I'll put below exactly as I discovered it.

Interesting wording :o) ~

If it is powdery mildew you can spray with a baking soda suspension... just dissolve a half tsp of baking soda in a quart of water and spritz it on...get as good coverage as you can, if it is powdery mildew it should succumb.

"spritz" is the answer. Lol

Good luck. I hope it works. Do let us know, won't you!

will have to go back and fix that...it should read half a tablespoon to a quart...and don't get it on the soil!! that's the difference that one little b can make...sorry.

Why - what would it do to the soil, Lori?

It really is worth a google of good old bicarbonate of soda... it could effect the pH of the surface of the soil...and if the soil is saturated it could be detrimental to root growth... the solution that I spoke about is quite mild and should not cause problems for anything other than the mildew! Bicarb has been used for many things and alas I'm not a chemist. some interesting reading on the subject though...

OK. I shall have a google. Thanks!

the proprietary mix for powdery mildew has sulphur in it

elemental sulphur will not dissolve in water...and is not usually readily available in the kitchen. the bicarb of soda is the lightest touch possible that will work on the mildew.