If cultural practices fail, fungicides can also be used to control powdery mildew. Remove and destroy disease-infested plant debris in fall. Divide bee balms every two to three years to prevent overcrowding. Move plants growing in partial shade to a sunny location. When planting bee balms, select a site that receives at least six hours of direct sun each day and space plants 2 to 2½ feet apart. Symptoms are most severe on over-crowded plants and those growing in partial shade.Ĭultural practices can reduce the severity of powdery mildew. Powdery mildew is a common fungal disease on bee balms. The symptoms on your bee balms ( Monarda spp.) are most likely due to powdery mildew. The leaves on my bee balms are covered with a grayish white “powder.” What is the problem? Each section should have several shoots and a good root system. Divide the clump into sections with a sharp knife. Dig up the plants as soon as new growth appears in spring. Early spring is the best time to dig and divide bee balms. To control their spread and rejuvenate plants, it’s advisable to dig and divide bee balms every two to three years. In addition, the center of the plant often dies out within a few years. When is the best time to divide bee balms?īee balms spread rapidly via underground stems or rhizomes. Frequent or heavy applications of fertilizer encourage rampant, succulent growth and may increase the severity of powdery mildew. Sprinkling a small amount of an all-purpose garden fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, around each plant in early spring is usually sufficient. Should I fertilize my bee balms?īee balms don’t require frequent or heavy fertilizer applications. Apply a mulch around plants to conserve soil moisture and reduce the frequency of watering. When watering, soak the soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. For best performance, water bee balms every seven to 10 days during dry periods. How often should I water bee balms?īee balms like an even supply of moisture during the growing season. Bee balms also prefer moist, well-drained soils. Plants grown in partial shade won’t flower as heavily and are more susceptible to powdery mildew. The planting site should receive at least six hours of direct sun per day.
Bee balm plant looks like mildew full#
What are the site requirements for bee balms?īee balms ( Monarda species) perform best in full sun. Horticulture specialists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach answer bee balm questions this week. Deadheading these late spring or early summer bloomers will encourage repeat blooms. AMES, Iowa – Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds are attracted to the red, white, pink, lilac and purple bee balm tubular flowers.
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