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Phlox dieback
Paul Charnock
Posts: 123
I have a few phlox plants that have been in the garden a number of years and they start the season very well every year but coming up to flowering time a lot of the stems seem to die off either from ground level or half way up the plant.
I did divide one of the plants and replanted elsewhere but experienced a similar outcome.
My soil is fairly high in clay but gets regular mulching with compost or leaf mould.
Any ideas as to the possible cause?
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Posts
How large was the clump that you divided as you should only divide most perennials once in 2 to 3 year period. Also was there sufficient root ball on the plant.
Phlox suffer from bad mildew but that would not be apparent at this stage of the season
Thanks for your replies and apologies for the long delay in getting back.
Not sure how to check for the fungal disease, I'll look it up.
The problem occurred prior to dividing and is the principal reason for me dividing. The plant below is one i did not divide and is about the size of the plant I did divide, I split into two and both sections had a good rootball. This is the one and only time it has been divided and that was about 5 years after first planting.