Root rot Echinacea

[Doig]

Hello folks! Some of my echinacea have been dying from root rot out of the blue. For the whole season they have been growing great and thriving. Now all of a sudden some of them wither and show root rot happening. My anticipation for the rest is that they will slowly start dying from root rot as well and it's just a matter of time now. What do I do? Do I need to add perlite into the raised garden bed I made? I garden in zone 8a NC and it hasn't rained in a week or two but as I dug down further down the bed it was still moist, not wet, but moist enough to clump some soil together in my hand. The bed is about a foot off the ground and on a slight slope. Or could this be more like fungal activity happening in the soil? I forgot to add that the root does feel mushy

 

[Anniekay]

Has your raised bed got drainage holes? If so, did you put a layer of gravel on the bottom to keep the drainage holes from clogging up with soil and stopping drainage?

 

[Doig]

It's a bottomless raised bed that sits on top of the existing soil. I didn't think it needed drainage holes.

 

[Anniekay]

It's a bottomless raised bed that sits on top of the existing soil. I didn't think it needed drainage holes.

What soil type do you have beneath? For the bed to stay that wet it sounds like there must be clay soil under it which holds water and would stop the bed from draining.

 

[Doig]

What soil type do you have beneath? For the bed to stay that wet it sounds like there must be clay soil under it which holds water and would stop the bed from draining.

The soil underneath the raised bed is not clay on contact but I'm sure after 2 inches further down is clay. NC is a heavy red clay state.

 

[Anniekay]

The soil underneath the raised bed is not clay on contact but I'm sure after 2 inches further down is clay. NC is a heavy red clay state.

That may be your problem. I would put a layer of pea gravel a couple inches thick on the bottom of the planter then put back the soil and that should help your drainage.

 

[Doig]

Now my problem is that my echinacea are Taproot. I might end up killing them pulling them out.

 

[Bella068]

It sounds like your echinacea may be suffering from root rot, likely due to poor drainage or excess moisture. Adding perlite to improve soil aeration can help. Ensure your raised bed has proper drainage, and consider treating with a fungicide if fungal activity is suspected. Remove affected plants to prevent spreading. Monitor moisture levels closely moving forward. Good luck

 

[Plantove]

It does sound like you're dealing with root rot in your echinacea plants. This is a tricky situation, but here are some suggestions to help address the problem:

1. Improve drainage: Given that the soil is still moist despite no recent rain, your raised bed may need better drainage. Adding perlite or coarse sand to the soil mix can help. Aim for about 1/3 perlite or sand in your soil mix.
2. Adjust watering: Even though it hasn't rained, the soil moisture retention might be too high. Water less frequently but more deeply to encourage deeper root growth.
3. Treat for fungus: Root rot is often caused by fungal pathogens. You can try applying a fungicide specifically designed for root rot. Copper-based fungicides or those containing fosetyl aluminum can be effective.
4. Remove affected plants: To prevent spread, carefully remove and dispose of plants showing signs of root rot. Don't compost them.
5. Soil solarization: If possible, you might want to consider solarizing the soil in the affected areas. This involves covering the soil with clear plastic for several weeks during hot weather to kill pathogens.
6. Plant resistant varieties: When replanting, look for echinacea varieties that are more resistant to root rot.
7. Adjust soil pH: Ensure your soil pH is appropriate for echinacea (they prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil, around 6.0-7.0).
8. Avoid overfeeding: Too much nitrogen can sometimes contribute to root rot issues.

Remember, prevention is key for future plantings. Ensure good air circulation between plants, avoid overwatering, and consider adding organic matter like compost to improve soil structure.