The weather has been so wet and cool that my daylilies are getting powdery mildew, I've never had that on them before. Any suggestions as to what I should do or should not do to control it.

Margaret

I have never heard of it before either!

I use daconyl (sp?) to control powdery mildew on monarda and phlox in my perennials. Also for early blight on tomatoes. But, you have to start **before** the mildew gets started.

Are you a member of the AHS robin? I think I would ask about the mildew on there. I've been on the AHS robin at least 10 years, involved in daylilies close to 30, and have never heard of mildew on daylilies. Now, that is not to say that it can't happen !

I also haven't encountered this Margaret.

No I am not a member of the AHS. It sure looks like mildew to me, it killed most of the Nicotiana that I had planted, the weather has been horrible!!

Thanks for answering Juli.

could you send us a photo?

I think I could get a photo to Dr. Henley - she used to be my state inspector, and she used to write for the daylily journal. I think this would interest her.

If it gets really bad, you could trim off the nasty foliage.

Juli

OK, I will try and get a photo tomorrow, if it doesn't rain, it's supposed to again...sigh. That would be great if she can tell me if it really is powdery mildew and what to do. I also have spidermites, not a good year for my daylilies.

Thanks a lot Juli.

Margaret

I have never heard of daylilies getting powerdy mildew. However you can cure it using a systemic fungicide. You want a systemic because that way you don't have to be as concerned that you covered every inch (top and bottom) of every leaf in order to cure it. I use Bonide (brand name) Systemic Desease Control For Roses Flowers and Shrubs. I actually have lots of roses and that is what I spray them with. I also use it on my zinnias and anything else that gets fungus or mildew. It is a fungicide only.

I see you posted about this on DG - "poplarcreek" posts there - he is Dr. Henley's husband. Since he posts on the daylily forum, you might send him a D-mail and ask him about it. That would be faster than me finding an email address for Dr. Pat. I saw a post or two of his that was in the last couple days.

Thanks Rita and Julie.

Thanks Fred, glad to hear nobody else has this problem.

I posted on the Daylily Forum on Dave's Garden - Pat is sure it is not powdery mildew - the pattern is not correct and she nor I have ever seen powdery mildew on daylilies. Could it be something that was sprayed on or around the daylilies? Minerals in your water leaving the pattern? If an herbicide, it probably won't kill the daylilies unless it is a strong dose. I have seen daylilies survive Roundup spraying by road crews. Are your daylilies really expiring or are you afraid they might?

Thanks Dick and Pat, I'm really happy to hear that it is not mildew, and it's good to know that they don't get it. I suppose it could be a mineral buildup from our hard water, strange thought that I never noticed it other years, we have automatic sprinklers that sprays a fine mist over the beds.

I use very little in the way of herbicides and certainly not around my daylilies, and no pesticides, I like the birds and the bees.

Margaret

I hope your daylilies are still healthy and that we solved the problem. Let me know if otherwise.
Dick (and Pat)

A couple of days of sun and things are looking good in the garden, Thank you very much for replying and offering future help.

Margaret

Dick, you might want to check out this forum also --- http://garden.org/forums/view/...

The ORVG holds quite a nice plant swap and pot luck twice a year. Most of the members are in northern KY and Southern OH so they usually do it near Cincinnati. A bit far for me these days... but I have been several times. Great food, great people, great plants! Many of the same people post on DG also.