Re: Delph replys

Janis,

I've mulched the dickens out of the blue butterflies (4-6" in summer)
but I think these are a great deal less fussy than the giant delphs.
The Dowdsewells that I tested this summer in full sun had 6" of pine
bark mulch on them but they definitely fried from the top down. The
roots on the one plant I checked at the time were OK but have since
disappeared. The ones under shade are still in pots.

If the larger delphinium are prone to root rot it might be worth trying
to mulch with something that is very slow to break down like cypress or
cedar. That should prevent an excessive or quick build-up of rotted
mulch and still keep the delphs tootsies moist and cool.

It also occurred to me to wonder if fertilizer might play a role in
delphinium being prone to root rot. I've read that there are antifungal
and antibacterial microorganisms in a soil with decent amounts of
organic matter and that they don't appreciate excess fertilizer one
little bit. This would seem to pose a potential conflict since
delphinium like a lot of food.

I've used compost, Osmocote, pelletized fish emulsion and alfalfa meal
at various times on the butterflies which are all fairly slow release.
Perhaps that might play a small part in why they didn't object to the
heavy mulch.

Thanks for the heads up on root rot problem--I'll make a point to watch
for problems. I was aware of the unpleasant tendency to crown rot so
I've been very careful about keeping the mulch well away from the base
of the plants--an interesting job with 6" of mulch on the butterflies
spaced 1' apart. :)

At 7:10 PM -0500 11/20/98, LONDE@aol.com wrote:

> Peggy--
> No, I did not forget mulching.  I don't mulch my delphiniums because they are
> susceptible to root rot. I have never had root rot on a delphinium and that
> may, or may not, be because I don't mulch them.  I just make sure their roots
> are shaded by nearby plants.  If you do mulch yours and have not had crown
> rot, please let me know.  I hate to add something else to my delphinium to-do
> list, but it would help hold moisture.  Also, I think your idea to use vines
> to shade delphiniums is great.

---
Peggy Enes (peggy@unicom.net)   Zone 5/6    NE KS     AHS Heat Zone 7


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