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Dying plants: which comes first - fungus or plant death?

CB7CB7 Posts: 24
in Problem solving

I have had a few deaths in my garden recently and all seem to have the same/similar white fungal growth around the base/roots. Photos are of persicaria and hydrangea roots/bark. I'm wondering what the problem is. Is the fungus weakening/killing them or are they dying from other causes and the fungus moves in when they are weak/dying? The ground is very wet around all the plants in question so they could be waterlogged. Any advice on what to look for/action to take gratefully received.imageimageimage

Posts

  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154

    Looks horribly like Honey Fungus ; no treatment available .

    If so , dig out and burn as much as possible .

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445

    it doesn't look like HF to me and I doubt is persicaria suffers. I would look to the waterlogging and deal with that. If it can't be dealt with, plant something that can cope.

    Fungal spores are everywhere and are part of the breaking down of dead plants. Without them we'd be in trouble



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328

    I'm sure Nutcutlet is right, CB7.  Most plants need air round their roots as well as water, and can't survive if their roots are waterlogged.  The fungus will be arriving after the plants have died.

    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • CB7CB7 Posts: 24

    Thank you for your quick replies. I will try to improve the drainage!

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