Tidewater Gardening
becomes apparent in many azalea and rhododendron plantings. As hot, dry weather sets in, the diseased plants do not have enough functional roots left to keep up with transpiration. Plants frequently wilt and collapse within a week. Because of the wilting, many people water plants even more than usual, f looding their roots, encouraging the pathogen, and potentially spreading the disease even more. Sections of the plant, and in many cases the plant itself, just up and die within a matter of a few weeks. Many gardeners move to the Shore from the other side of the Bay and find that they just can’t grow these plants like they did in their former location. The Phytophthora disease organism thrives and spreads in soils
insect and disease problems. Be careful not to cut the crown of the plant, however. Fertilize and water the plants regularly so they will set the f lower buds for next spring’s crop. At the same time, make sure to clean up the bed of any old, leftover diseased berries and leaves. Apply a fresh layer of mulch around the plants, preferably some weed-free wheat or barley straw. For the other fruit plantings in your garden, you should be on a regular insect/disease spray schedule. Check the plantings on a regular basis for any disease or insect issues, discarding infested fruit. Keeping a clean planting area is still the best long-term way of reducing pest problems. As a result of a wet spring, you may see some shrub problems in poorly drained areas and heavy clay soils. A major soil-borne disease that starts to show up in the landscape in July is Phytophthora. As the soil warms up, this disease 88