I have had terrible luck with salvias this year. The microphyllas I have do fine. But all my others, Chiapas, Amistad, Guarantica, Curviflora, love and wishes, Wendy's wish most of these have died or are dying. First they get black on the edges of the leaves, then the stems. After this the black spreads to the whole plant until it dies. I have been able to save a couple of them by pruning the black off with sterilized tools and spraying with neem oil for now anyways. Other times nothing works! It's so disheartening because I love salvias but now I'm too afraid to buy anymore. I should also mention that this happens to the salvias I have in pots as well as the ground. What's going on here!? I don't have photos right now, but I'll try and take some later. Oh and also this has happened to my two agastache I have, they are both dead now.

Carly

Oh and also this happened to three pineapple sages I bought, all three now dead.

@carlysuko,

I'm baffled about it and don't know. I'm sorry to hear about your salvias and agastaches.

Maybe @FBTS and @Monty72 could chime in about it.

Need a photo. Could be something we don't have in the UK. Here, spidermite has been a MAJOR problem in our hot, dry summer.

Thanks Robin for chiming in.

Thank you Marilyn and Robin, I'll take a photo tommorow and post it.

Sounds good. I too, would like to see a pic or more of it.

Yes. Pictures. I'm lurking around here too.

Sounds like a nasty plague. Are the pots drying out between watering?

Thanks for chiming in Joseph.

Yes I only have a few baby ones in pots. I apologize I've worked overtime this week but I'll get to the photos ASAP. Thanks everyone.

Here is an Amistad that is still alive but starting to show the same signs my other salvias exhibited before they bit the dust













Here's a completely dead Love and wishes Salvia




Here is a couple dead pineapple sages







Here is a dead Blue Boa Agastache







I've had a lot more than this die the exact same way 😰

Remote diagnosis is never easy. The yellow/green leaves in the first pictures look to be like they may be damaged by mites. Mites thrive in dry, warm weather. San Diego had a very warm July, with average humidity much below average.
This might help:

https://www.fbts.com/battles-i...

and be sure to read Part II as well. This should help you diagnose.

This might not be the problem at all, but mites during the summer can absolutely kill plants. They are ubiquitous in the landscape, and if you do have a problem with them don't be disheartened - as may others will attest the unusually warm weather this summer has made this a real issue.

Kermit

I agree that this could be the dreaded spidermite.

Kermit and Robin, thanks for chiming in.

Kermit, very interesting and informative articles. Good to know.

Carly, I would encourage you not to give up growing salvias, despite the horrible losses you experienced. I do not have the expertise of Kermit or Robin but have been growing and studying Salvias and Agastaches for about 5 years. My favorites are Guaraniticas and hybrids with Guaranitica. I have lost some this year, not to the extent you have but i empathize with your frustration. Here spider mites have been unusually rampant this year as we have had the dry hot conditions described by others on this thread. The articles Kermit referenced are very helpful- I had already read them. I blasted the plants with a hose daily or as often as possible, and I do keep a close eye on my plants so as to detect problems as early as possible. I had such a severe infestation I did finally resort to a pesticide with miticide (one application only). I do believe this saved many of my salvias as after that I could manage better with non-chemical methods. Salvias are very resilient overall, and perhaps as the weather gets a bit cooler toward fall, some of yours will regrow if they haven't completely died. Best wishes!

Thank you Kermit, Robin, and Judy. I won't give up. I love them too much anyways.

I will read your link you wrote up Kermit. Thank you so much!

Carly

Never give up! I say this as I was on the point of giving up this year, the hottest and driest Summer since 1976.........and I remember that well!!! Spidermite thrived in our hot and dry conditions, spent a fortune on the predatory mites, these worked on most Salvias (Dahlias also), but not all. These blighters have just about killed the following Salvias......concolor, graciliramulosa, rubescens, dombeyi, gachantivana, and also badly affected splendens, Theresia and hybrids, miniata, curviflora, and even coccinea! So depressing after such hard work gardening in spring. Also, the unbroken hot sunshine for 2 months here (not since 1976!) has caused many plants, not only Salvias, to abort the flowering buds. But I have a wonderful sun-tan!!!

But at last we have had rain, and things are picking up. Same for all Salvia collectors around the UK. I have several visitors and an important group visiting my garden next month, hoping for more rain, but sunshine when they visit!

Kermit's advice is invaluable.

Bollocks to spidermite......kindest regards to you all!

Robin.

Thanks Judy for chiming in and good to have to back here (at this forum). It's been a long time.

Robin, thank you so much for sharing all that with me. Indeed bullocks to spider mites! It's cooling off here so I'm hoping my plants will recover somewhat. I already have a new salvia wishlist so I definitely will not give up. Thank you again and thank you everyone for the advice.

Carly