GreenMark Public Relations®, Inc.

Root rot and major plant disease could dampen the already rainy summer garden season. 2009 claims Chicago’s 9th wettest Spring. Humid summers mean fungal disease thrives. Both container and in-ground plants are at risk for the following diseases: black spot, powdery mildew, botrytis, rust and more. Tony Fulmer of Chalet offers tips for preventing the spread of fungal disease before it’s too late.

Override the in-ground sprinkler systems. It seems so obvious, the last thing you want to do is continually apply water to already over-saturated soil. Root systems need oxygen to grow and shutting off the sprinklers can make a difference.

Pull back the mulches. Temporarily pull mulches away from root systems to maximize surface drying. This goes  especially for soft-stemmed annuals, perennials and vegetables that have foliage resting on the ground, as well as trees and shrubs in dense clay soils.

Look for unusual symptoms. Older foliage may begin yellowing or leaves may show unusual color combinations at the edges or throughout the leaves signaling nutrient deficiency.Yew will show a rusty-orange color when they’re too wet.

Determine why your plants are wilting. Plants need oxygen to transport water, but they could wilt when standing in water or when bone dry. Don’t assume you need to water a wilting plant without checking the soil moisture levels first.

Fertilize container plants. Most potting mixes are “soil-less” and contain large amounts of bark and coarse organic matter to promote drainage. These mixes have minimal innate nutrient content so be sure to use a complete fertilizer on container plants often.

Remove saucers from under containers. If you have hanging baskets or decorative containers with saucers, be sure to remove them to maximize drainage. Neglecting this could drown your plants.

Protect plants from slugs. Especially vulnerable are hostas, lettuce, spinach, cabbage and other plants. Get some new iron phosphate baits, which are organic and safe around edibles, and place them directly to the damp ground under and around the plants. Slugs will eat them, crawl away and die.

Apply fungicides to plants ahead of infection. This will only work as a preventative measure and will not magically cure any existing problems.

Check plants regularly for moisture. Think of your plants as intensive care patients and check them daily. Don’t think that just because it rained for two weeks in June means you don’t have to water them in July.

Be on the lookout for continued damage. It may take time for symptoms to show in leaves, stems or branches. In some cases, you may not notice for several weeks. Look for smaller than normal or no new growth, unusual colors in the leaves, discoloration on stems or death of entire branches. If it looks out of the ordinary, it probably is.

Learn more from the plant experts on Chalet’s Web site.

Tony Fulmer of Chalet appeared on WGN Midday News Monday, Apr. 27, 2009, to show some perennials great for a springtime garden and also to promote the Garden Faire event before Mother’s Day. He answers the questions, “What kind of perennials can you plant now?” and “What are the earliest perennials to bloom in the garden?”

Some of the plants he brought in include: Hellebores, Bergenia, Bleeding Heart, Mertensia, Epimedium. He said the Hellebores bloom in the shade for four to six weeks, have a wide range of colors and no negative effect if it snows while blooming. He said the Bergenia grow great with the Hellebores in the shade. Bergenia have striking, deep pink flowers that bloom above glossy green foliage. The old-fashioned, but beautiful choice will always be the Bleeding Heart, though. They bloom for several weeks in the shade and go dormant in the summer heat.

See the video on the WGN Midday News section.

Chalet also appeared on ABC7 Morning News, Tuesday, Apr. 21, 2009, featuring several segments and live remotes.

See the video of Chalet on ABC7 Morning News.