Question
QUESTION: Hi Tom,

I live in Eastern Ontario, zone 4 or 5 and have some hybrid phlox plants that constantly get mildew.  I tried to find info. on the net but it said "dust with powder, but it is just unsightly and does not affect the plant".  With my plants it does - they won't flower.  Question:  We have a short growing season here and there is no sign of any buds again.  It is now September 10th and I would really like to chop them all down to within about 2" of the root.  O.K. to do that?  Any advice for next year?  Should I treat them for mildew right from the get go before they get it?

ANSWER: Hi Val,
Thanx for your question.  Phlox have a big problem with powdery mildew.  First, don't water them with a sprinkler or hose from overhead.  Water from ground level.  I know this doesn't make sense if it rains on them but consistent moisture from above is a big cause of powdery mildew.  Overcrowded conditions contribute to powdery mildew also.  Make sure the plants have plenty of room in between them.  Side dress with well composted cow manure and don't use fertilzers high in nitrogen or all you will get is green.  Cut the plants back when they start to yellow and fade away for the winter.  I was never able to completely get rid of powdery mildew and after a while you get used to it once the plant starts flowering and it will next year.  I hope this helps.
tom

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CIMG0050   QUESTION: This is not a follow-up question, but I couldn't seem to get back to the original page.  Thank you for answering my first question so fast.

I have a couple of plants in my garden.  I am pretty sure the seeds came from a perennial plant supplier we bought from in the spring, as they are growing out of the soil surrounding one of the plants.  They are over 6 Ft. high, marroon/green foliage and marroon feathery plumes.  Very sturdy, splendid plants - we just hope they'll come back next year!

Val Hobkirk

Answer
Hi Val,
Thanx for your question.  And thank you so much for the picture.  It makes life so much easier when trying to identify a plant!  The plant looks like a type of amaranth.  I have seen these in gardens since I was a little kid.  The plants are annuals and some varieties of amaranth are grown for their seeds in the Americas by the Indigenous peoples.  The seeds are washed and ground into flower or baked and used to make cereals and porridges.  Other types of amaranths are used by Asians for salad greens and stir-frying.  Amaranth grows wild all over North America.  What you have here is a cultivated form.  If you have no other types of amaranths nearby, you can probably save the seed and use it next year to get a similar plant (unless it is a hybrid and then you will get all sorts of variations of this plant...).

If you do a Google Search or Search Google Images, you will find all kinds of information on Amaranths or Amaranthus.

I hope this helps.
Tom