Verbena Hanging Basket Collapse: Powdery Mildew Rehabilitation Protocol

Colorado verbena baskets: beautiful May → terrible June. Morning sun only + daily watering = powdery mildew paradise.

Diagnosis Clues

• Dry, crispy leaves? = mildew
• Gray/brown mold on soil? = Botrytis
• Dark brown roots, yellowing? = Pythium root rot
• Most likely: Powdery mildew (full sun inhibits it; limited sun promotes it)

Intensive Rehab (If Worth It)

1. Repot all, discard old soil, keep rootballs intact
2. Custom mix: Peat + Humus + Sand
3. Dip plants (stems/leaves) in fungicide: 1 tsp dish soap + ¼ cup baking soda + 1 gal water
4. Sun-dry
5. Water with Messenger (harpin protein) for healing
6. Cut stems to sprouting leaves if any

Prevention for Next Time

• Full sun location
• Water at soil level only
• Mildew-resistant varieties
• Air circulation

Labor-intensive. Decide if sentimental value justifies effort.