The MGS Forum
Gardening in mediterranean climates => Pests and diseases => Topic started by: MikeHardman on July 28, 2012, 04:39:38 PM
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This patch of Aptenia was growing well, extending down a grassy bank, crushing the grass as it went. All of a sudden (it seems) a large part of it has died off. I have no idea why. Suggestions please.
Info: There are no dogs. There are a few small cats. The whole patch lost a lot of foliage over the cold winter, but it recovered OK - as you can see in the adjacent parts. I have not sprayed weedkiller nearby
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The surrounding growth looks so lush that I wonder whether it's been attacked by a phytophthora root rot. As you know Aptenia hates excess moisture and is vulnerable to root rot if it's not grown hard, and the hot weather that has followed your heavy rains would have been ideal for phytophthora. I'd have a look at the roots.
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Aptenia does that here but perhaps not in such a big patch. I find it happens when its been really dry for a long time. I just cut out the dead pieces and it will sprout away (not in August here but next spring. It is a very tough plant.
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thank you Alisdair and pamela
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Mike, definitely looks like fungal hyphae attacking in a line ; remarkable how straight it is. I would have thought it more random. I had the same problem with patches dieing-off for no apparent reason. It could be one of several damping-off diseases.