Sedum leaves yellowing - Ask Extension
I have 3 sedum plants about 3 feet apart that have done well for at least 4-5 years until last year and again this year. The soil an conditions have b...
Knowledgebase
Sedum leaves yellowing #878074
Asked July 20, 2024, 10:47 PM EDT
I have 3 sedum plants about 3 feet apart that have done well for at least 4-5 years until last year and again this year. The soil an conditions have been the same since planting. The plants are in a rotor lawn sprinkled are and get a small sector of approximately 180 degrees of patter for 30 minutes each day (same as every year). I checked the root zone by probing with a screwdriver and the soil doesn't seem too wet or too dry. We do have some ants in the yard, but they do not appear to be populating the plant areas. The 3 plants are in differing conditions although within 6-7 feet of on another.
Montcalm County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello,
Your sedum appears to have powdery mildew. Powdery mildew is a common fungal disease that affects many plants often late in the season. Weather conditions often favor mildew development, so plants that have been free of the problem in previous years may develp the the disease in any given year.
Spraying fungicides now will probably not improve the situation now. In order to be effective, fungicides need to be sprayed early in the season before symptoms appear on the plant.
Sanitation and good cultural practices are important in managing powdery mildew. Remove affected leaves to reduce the amount of inoculum overwintering on ground and throw them in the trash. Watering should be done early in the day so plants can dry before nightfall. Plants that are overcrowded or in shaded areas may be more prone to mildew.
The fungus may appear again next year but usually does not kill the plant. If the outbreak of powdery mildew continues, the sedum could be replaced by mildew resistant plants. If you decide to remove the sedum, it would be best to avoid planting new sedum in the same location.
Refer to the website below for general information about powdery mildew.
https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/powdery-mildew-flower-garden
Your sedum appears to have powdery mildew. Powdery mildew is a common fungal disease that affects many plants often late in the season. Weather conditions often favor mildew development, so plants that have been free of the problem in previous years may develp the the disease in any given year.
Spraying fungicides now will probably not improve the situation now. In order to be effective, fungicides need to be sprayed early in the season before symptoms appear on the plant.
Sanitation and good cultural practices are important in managing powdery mildew. Remove affected leaves to reduce the amount of inoculum overwintering on ground and throw them in the trash. Watering should be done early in the day so plants can dry before nightfall. Plants that are overcrowded or in shaded areas may be more prone to mildew.
The fungus may appear again next year but usually does not kill the plant. If the outbreak of powdery mildew continues, the sedum could be replaced by mildew resistant plants. If you decide to remove the sedum, it would be best to avoid planting new sedum in the same location.
Refer to the website below for general information about powdery mildew.
https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/powdery-mildew-flower-garden
