Hepatica 2011

[Diane Clement]

Any ideas of what's happening to my lovely plant? 

I think it's just moving into summer mode, not really sure there's anything wrong?  Is there fungus in there - not clear from the picture?  However, I'd snip off all the old flowers and any remaining old leaves from last year.  It looks like it's in full light?  If so, it now needs to go into shade.     

[Michael J Campbell]

I agree with Diane but I would move it outside into a shaded area with overhead protection. They need plenty of air circulation when the new growth starts.

[Mavers]

Thanks for the advice Diane & Michael.

All the old foliage was removed just before the flower buds extended.

Could it be mildew?

The affected leaves & stems are soft.

The greenhouse vents & doors were all open throughout the winter & the recent hot spell.

I've put all my hepaticas in cold frames now on the shady side of my bungalow.

[Gerry]

Botrytis?

[Gunhild Poulsen]

Mavers – to me it looks like a fungus – which one is not easy to say. To be 100% sure one must have a test from a laboratory.
I would take away all the attacked leaves and buds, and spray with a broad-spectrum fungicid once a week or maybe even more often.
Another way is to take away the soil, soak roots and buds in the fungicid in 12 or 24 hours, and then give some fresh soil.
Maybe you can save the plant in this way.
And then I would keep it away from the other Hepaticas, one never knows if it will be transmitted or not.
It is important to cut of the withered flowers because they can be the reason for disease.

[Gerry]

Does anyone have any experience of H. 'Louise Kohler'. My plant has flowered a year after I recived a division, but its single mid pink. Is this an abberation caused by division, or have I got a possible rogue seedling thats put itself in the original plant?

Suggestions welcomed

[Michael J Campbell]

Gerry, Hepatica may not produce the true flower for about two years after they are divided or disturbed, so your plant is probably as described but just taking time to settle down. That is how they get pollen from double flowering plants, when they are disturbed they sometimes produce single flowers with pollen which is then used to breed  new plants. No need to worry just yet.

[Gerry]

Thanks Michael; I'll save any seed that may appear

[Mavers]

Thank you Gunhild it does look like a fungus attack of some sort. I'm keeping it well away from my other hep's.

Mike

[Gerard Oud]

I am no Hepatica specialist but i got these from a colleage and its doing very well in my garden!
Dont know the cultivars name sorry.


regards Gerard

Hepatica transsilvanica Blue Jewel

[annew]

It has beautiful full flowers.

[Gunilla]

Lovely blue colour and what an abundance of flowers  . Could it be H. media X Ballardii?  I'm just guessing. 

[annew]

I wondered that too, the flowers look similar.

[Gerry]

I can't see the leaves too well, so can't make a good judgement. There is a suspicion that 'Ballardii' is a collection of clones. The 'original' would be over 100 years old by now.

[Diane Clement]

I agree it looks like H x media 'Ballardii'.  Here's mine for comparison