Re: [SG] Two questions: re. ferns and azaleas

Well, Beth, I don't know of any ferns with the tall growth habit of
cinnamon and ostrich that will tolerate drying out for extended periods.
Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) will tolerate dry summers in
the woods, but its form is more of a round mound than a vertical.

You might try posting your question on fernet - there are real fern experts
on that list and if there is a large fern with a vertical habit that will
tolerate drought, one of them is sure to know.   To subscribe, send email
to:   macjordomo@koning.ecsu.ctstateu.edu

Don't put anything in the subject line and in the body of the message type:
 subscribe fernet <first name - last name> (where you put your name instead
of first name-last name)

(also - if you're typing in the listserv name, note it is *mac*jordomo, not
majordomo)

Unfortunately, the genus Rhododendron (to which your Azaleas belong) is
subject to many fungal diseases...hard to pin down from a text description.
 They generally come on when the plants are stressed in some way and
drought can do it.  *If* this is what is ailing your Azaleas, about the
only thing that can be done is to remove the affected branches, sterilizing
your secateurs between cuts in bleach solution, and dispose of them - don't
compost.  Also make sure to clean up any dead leaves from around the plants
as some of the fungi travel by water splashes from affected leaves to
healthy tissue.

Otherwise, make sure your plants don't dry out, are mulched well and not
stressed.  Fertilizing won't help and may harm if they are badly stressed.

If you have an extension agency in your area, take an affected branch in to
see if you can get a positive ID on the problem.  If it is fungal, a
fungicide might help.  There really isn't a cure for these fungal problems,
but you can often save a plant by doing what I've mentioned....sometimes
not, but it's worth a try.

Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@clark.net
Editor:  Gardening in Shade
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----------
> From: Beth Creveling <ecreveli@mciunix.mciu.k12.pa.us>
> Date: Tuesday, May 18, 1999 10:55 AM
>
> Hi, folks--
>
> For years I have grown cinnamon and ostrich ferns around my gazebo at the
edge
> of the woods.  In recent years it has been so dry in the summers that
they have
> died out.  I would like to replace them with similar-looking ferns which
might
> handle these summer droughts better.  Any suggestions?
>
> My second question concerns azalea poukhanensis.  I have two large ones
that
> have been in place for about 15 years.  However, they have developed some
kind
> of disease which is making them die slowly, branch by branch.  On some of
the
> stems I see green moldy spots, which may be related to the cause or just
an
> effect.  Any ideas on the disease and treatment?
>
> Thanks for your help!
> Beth
>
> jgadney wrote:
>
> > Hi Debby:
> >
> > Wow! You must be far up in Zone 4 to still have frost.
> >
> > Your ferns should look better in the second season of growth. I
wouldn't
> > worry about the skinny stalks.
> >
> > At this time I don't have many other shadelovers, so really can't claim
> > success. Much of my growing area is in full sun, so I'm limited as far
as
> > growing shadelovers is concerned. Your public library should have books
on
> > shade gardening. And, of course, there's a wealth of information
available
> > from members of this list.
> >
> > Regarding your interest in feeding the birds (I do too, with feeders
and
> > plants), an excellent and not often seen plant you should try is
> > streptocarpella Concord Blue. Hummingbirds love their delicate small
blue
> > flowers produced in abundance. Streptocarpella, a miniature relative of
> > streptocarpus, is best used in hanging baskets (I have two). There are
a few
> > other varieties of streptocarpella; all have blooms in shades of purple
and
> > blue. They make nice houseplants in winter; bring them in before frost.
> > Streptocarpella, a member of the gesneriad family, may be found at
nurseries
> > or garden centers that offer unusual plants; in my neck of the woods,
most
> > shops don't carry them so I order by mail.
> >
> > John A.
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Deborah Howard <Cujotaz@AOL.COM>
> > To: shadegardens@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
<shadegardens@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU>
> > Date: Tuesday, May 18, 1999 5:24 AM
> > Subject: Re: [SG] I'm Baaaack!
> >
> > >what other kinds of plants do u have success with?  i live in zone 4
in the
> > >woods, have a large area i am trying to "spruce up"  so far the hostas
are
> > >doing great, I've added a bird bath and several birdhouses and
birdfeeders,
> > >thought of ferns, tried 3 varieties last year, they survived, but r
all
> > >skinny stalks with 1 fern---need some ideas  {we had frost last night
and
> > the
> > >first frost usually hits in Oct. to give u an idea of the growing
season}
> > >
> > >thanks
> > >Debby
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