Delphinium crown rot

20 years ago

I just lost a delphinium 'Pacific Giants' Blue Bird to what must have been a crown rot of some type. The lower leaves wilted and then dried up and then when I went to remove the lower leaves, the whole plant broke off from the crown with a very slight touch.

I have a couple of other delphs right beside where this one was (about 14" or so away). I presume that the soil is contaminated around the area where the infected plant was. Should I just replace the soil or should I also move these other two delphs.? I've never dealt with this before. Can other plants be planted where this occurred or is it "off limits" for all plants for awhile?

Shauna

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Comments (4)

northspruce
20 years ago
Oh no Shauna that sucks. I would definitely inspect the other delphs for signs of rot, if they're ok I think 14" is a fairly good buffer zone. As far as planting, I think the advice I received about daylilies would apply, they said to remove all remaining parts of the rotten roots, and then water the soil thoroughly with a bleach solution. Then it should be ok to replant something else But I can't remember the bleach dilution, maybe someone else can help there.

Also clean any tools you used on the rotten delph with rubbing alcohol or bleach. (shovel, pruners, etc.)
luv2gro
Original Author
20 years ago
Thanks, Gil. I didn't think of the bleach method. I've used bleach to kill fairy rings. It does seem to be a good solution to some types of fungal diseases. I haven't dug out the root ball yet to see if any fungus is visible. It started to rain and now it is too wet. But I'll see what it looks like tomorrow.

On the plus side, this gives me a good excuse to find a 'Coral Sunset' or some other type of "unusual". ; ) Justifiable, isn't it? I'm only "replacing" another plant. LOL

Shauna
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verenap
20 years ago
Nooooo!!!! I have the same thing happening to all of my delphiniums...I planted nine of them last year, 'Pacific Giants' Blue Bird, as well (and of course all in the same area...so no buffer zone :-( ...and they came up, growing like crazy and I was so happy, I've been looking forward to them blooming (they're one of my favorites)...When they started dying off (just like you decsribed) I figured it was some little critter I couldn't see, and have been treating them with 'Safer's' soap... :-( Even DH was looking forward to them...and asking "why don't we have those" at the greenhouse...to which I replied "we do...they should bloom this year..." :-(

Verena
(off to ge some bleach...there's no way of saving them??)
Grumble...grumble...grumble...

(On the happy side...I planted out all my hostas & ferns and am starting on the daylilies and balloon flowers...both of which are blooming.)
luv2gro
Original Author
20 years ago
Oh, I'm so sorry, Verena. This was something I didn't know that delphiniums are apparently susceptible to. I had watched for powdery mildew last year and didn't get any so I thought everything was OK. Mine went within 2 days, I think, as far as I can tell and I know there is no way of saving it.

The good thing is that the delphs that I put in last year all bloomed last year. But, they were purchased plants in about 4" pots, so they were fairly good sized plants. But, I did see them bloom long enough to determine that they are something I want in my garden all of the time.

Shauna