Stupid Heat and Humidity

It's finally back in the 70s today, but we've had a string of days that went into the 90s. With temps like that, plus all the wind, I try to water a little more often. Unfortunately, all that watering plus the high dewpoints (resulting in humid nights) created the perfect conditions for powdery mildew.


It's actually my first serious encounter with a plant disease. Er, that I know of.

Luckily, it has only infected the mystery groundcover under the pine tree, but as you can see below, it's affecting quite a lot of it.


I did a little research and am going to try an organic approach: a mixture of water, baking soda, and dish soap, sprayed on once a week for three weeks. I'll also need to cut back all the infected foliage and burn it. So it's manageable, but it's kind of a bummer.

In addition, I've got some weird crisping action going on with two of my new Rudbeckia (below). I added them late last month because I needed a little more yellow in the bed near the veranda. I was thinking about Digitalis grandflora (yellow foxglove, which I may plant someplace yet), but thought it would be better to repeat the Rudbeckia, which is also in the bed by the back gate. All the Rudbeckia I've had up until now has been very easy-going, but these two look slightly toasted. I did put them in right before the heat wave, unfortunately, but I planted a lot of stuff that day -- most of which is doing better than this.

The worst yet, though, is my poor Lobelia, which looks almost dried to a crisp. I moved her back to the shade under the pine tree; we'll see what happens, but I fear the worst.

More information on this distressing situation will be distributed as it becomes availabe. We appreciate your patience.