[gardeners] Dahlia woes
pennyx1@juno.com (gardeners@globalgarden.com)
Thu, 29 Aug 2002 00:06:31 -0400
Every summer I grow 9 very tall and prolific dahlias in front
of a hedge of Upright Yews lined against the house,
ESE exposure, 6 hours of FULL sun. Seven of them
always survive the winter (zone 6) altho they should not,
and return each spring with vigor.
This year they were all hit with a virus which I have not been
able to contain. The tops are still blooming away; the middles
and bottoms are decimated. And to my surprise, several of
them have sprung fresh stalks from the bottom!
This has been a summer of total drought, with temps at
94* for weeks, and humidity at 75%. The dahlias were
watered the normal way: being on the edge of a big flower
bed with drip irrigation, they received a low level drip
3 times a day, for 10 minutes. They never wilted, they
never rotted -- in fact, the tops are luxurient.
Nonetheless, with 2/3rds of the leaves having turned
brown (but clinging), they look atrocious.
Any suggestions...? Do I pull them all out and
fumigate...???
Penny, NY
.
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