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Phlox stalks turning brown and dying


Question
I am looking at ordering the Predator mites from worms way. Biocontrol seems to be out. The Spider Mite Destroyers is up to $87.00 plus shipping. I don't have all that many whole plants left, perhaps two whole and 8 parts. I really don't know how much to order. I can't go for the expensive stuff. The site says one bottle for 25 sq. ft. Is that the whole garden to treat or just the effected plants?

I rescue Pekingese, so that is where most of my money goes. I'd love to save these Phlox, but if it is going to run into lots of money, like several $28.00 bottles plus shipping, and it may be too late any way if it takes 4-6 weeks... to work, perhaps I'll just have to let them go as much as I hate to.

Will a bottle of 100 predator mites make enough difference do you think?
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Followup To

Question -
Last time, sorry about all this. No webs. Is it still mites with no webs? The specks were so tiny you could hardly see them.
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Followup To

Question -
North Georgia, Zone 7. Phlox came back from where first planted last year.

Answer -
Do you have one of those Oxford English Dictionaries that come with a magnifying glass?

This IS Phlox - it WAS 90 degrees F and no rain - NOT having spidermites would be page one news.

Regarding the followup to this morning's Ga. St. Coop Service, I have Good News and I have Bad News.

First the Bad News.  I received a disappointing message from the Georgia State Cooperative Extension Service, which has cut back its work for the summer to save money.  Personally, summer seems like exactly the wrong time to cut back when you're doing gardening advice, but money is tight all over these days.  

To wit:

"Unfortunately at this time we do not have the personnel to handle homeowner problems.  Hope to have position filled 1 Sept.  The diagnostic clinics at Auburn have been willing to take homeowner samples from GA, for a fee.  They also charge their in-state clients as well.  Information on submitting samples can be found at:
http://www.aces.edu/counties/Jefferson/plantlab//services.htm

I checked the link and it works.

Now the Good News: There is no charge (according to the website) for "insect, plant, and fungal identifications".

I guess those are conditions they like to monitor.

I hope you have gotten the ball rolling on the cures for these problems because botrytis, spider mites and mildew are problems that you have to really attack quickly and from all directions if you're going to take control of them.  But like I said, it's an excellent learning experience.  For you, for the Phlox you are growing, it is the perfect problem.  I'm looking forward to hearing your impression of what works and what fails for you.  I hope you'll let me know, Gail.

The world is watching!

Answer
Give it your best shot. I think at this point your focus should be understanding what is wrong and how to fix it.

With so few Phlox, it becomes an experiment.  Phlox season will be over before you know it.

If you are going to replace your Phlox, try David or one of the resistant hybrids.  Believe me when they use that word "resistant" - they are not immune and having grown David I can tell you, You will be working very hard at this anyway.

I love Pekingese. Quite adorable. We have Chinese Cresteds here but I would like to get a Papillon, a Yorkie and maybe a Chihuahua or a Pekingese to fill out the house.  Very garden friendly dogs.

If everybody worked at this Organic stuff, we would not be looking at these insane prices.

Try working with Compost and maybe a few ladybugs.  Perhaps they sell Ladybugs locally - check around.

The Starbucks coffee grounds are free.  The best things in life are free so go for it.

Remove infected leaves, get the dropped leaves out of the garden, spray with baking soda as needed, give it your best shot and I think you will get thru the winter.  Make sure you don't order ladybugs and then spray with one of those Organic Bug Sprays, Horticultural Oil etc.  That will kill all the benficials, which you need right now.

Stay away from Scotts and Ortho.  The Phlox is a learning experience.  Try to remember that.  Take copious notes, copious photos and watch to see what works.  Maybe, just maybe, the Baking Soda will do the trick for you.

I feel your pain.

But we've all been there done that.  Let me know how it goes.

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