Million Bells - product to prevent root rot?

17 years ago

Hello all,

I've been planting Million Bell (calibrachoa) in containers with other annuals for about 10 years, but in the last 2 years I've had a problem with root rot - the plants slowly wilt and die and the roots turn black and shrivel. I don't think that overwatering is the problem because it happens in only 2-3 of 10 containers; all receive the same amount of water, and light, and all are planted in identical containers (urns) with good drainage. I'm wondering if any preventative products exist (and actually work) that I can apply to the soil before planting/throughout the season to head it off. And, would this kind of treatment be safe for the other plants in the urns that aren't affected by root rot? I'd love to be able to continue planting this beautiful container plant but not if the plants don't make it through July...

Thanks!

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Comments (4)

tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
17 years ago
I think you need to take a closer look at your soil. If it was appropriate, root rot should be a total non-issue.

Perhaps the plants are expiring for other reasons and then roots are rotting?

There are some fungicides that can be added to your irrigation water, but even if they kill the fungi that cause your root issue, they won't alleviate the anaerobic conditions that allowed the fungi to multiply in the first place.

H2O2 can also be somewhat effective at preventing root issues in saturated soils if used appropriately. I use highly aerated, free draining soils so I needn't worry about root issues.

Al
lindac
17 years ago
Are you using the same soil in your containers year after year? soils can harbor fungi which lead to die off.
Remove the soil, scrub and disinfect with clorox the container and put in new potting soil.
I'll bet your problem will be gone.
Linda C
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
17 years ago
forget chemicals...

dump out all the soil in fall ... or now if the plants are all gone ...

scrub the pot with 10% bleach ...

and leave it until next spring.. when you fill it with fresh potting soil ....

as noted.. if all of your soil is getting old ... then perhaps its time to start fresh, across the board ...

you have years of success with this.. i dont know why your water would be bad all of a sudden ... it has to be the pot or the soil ...

good luck
ken
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
17 years ago
"Forget chemicals"? Isn't that rather rash?

It's not the pot, unless it's made with a phytotoxic material that is leaching into the soil (extremely unlikely). And it may not be the soil. It's just as probable that a heavy hand on the watering can has turned an otherwise serviceable soil into an anaerobic breeding ground for rot fungi. While I agree that soils should be replaced on a yearly basis, our reasoning is different. The driving point behind my decision to use organically based soils (peat-bark) for only a year is to prevent having to use soils that are in a state of exponentially accelerating collapse. This collapse rate is greatly exacerbated in soils with a heavy presence of peat and/or compost.

Al