I have been growing monkshoods on the East End of Long Island (Zone 7a; maritime climate) for the past few years. They grow in an open woodland setting, with filtered sun most of the day; in June-July-August they get about three hours of direct late afternoon sun. I've tried A. Alboviolaceaum (killed it); x Cammerum Pink Sensation; many other varieties of x cammerum, none of which I grew successfully; Napellus; and many cultivars of A. Carmichaelli. I have had next to no success with the x Cammerums; moderate success with Napellus, and decent success with the Carmichaelli cultivars. My question is this: The Cammerums "pouffed out" almost immediately, except for a couple of Pink Sensations, which disappear right after blooming. Ditto the Napellus. For the Cammerums (I have fischeri, Arendsii, and several others) I experience the following: -vigorous early spring and summer growth -in summer, one or two stalks on each plant wilt, leaves and stems turn vrown and black, and eventually, the stalk pulls out easily from the ground -the rest of the plant, with the remaining stalks, make it to bloom time, and this year, they were utterly spectacular. Do I need to be concerned about the wilted stalks? Is this verticillium wilt? If so how long will it take to kill the plant? I love these plants; they are my favorite garden plant though hard to find in my area. Any help and advice would be appreciated.
I am in 7a also. The only one I have had any luck with is Arendsii. Even that one I have to spray with a fungicide early on. Aconitums have to have cool nights....They are like Meconopsis, Delphinim, Lupines...etc....they grow better when in cooler areas.
Good to know ... I had read that verticillium wilt does not respond to fungicide, but I guess it would certainly not hurt! Is there a specific one you recommend? And do you spray them when you first plant them, or in spring when they first start to grow?
In the spring...I spray with an insecticide, herbicide and fungicide.(something like Rose Defense). I figure it will take care of what ever is ailing it. It did help this summer because they usually just barely open and have rust on the leaves. I do this several times during the spring and summer.
Thanks, Levilyla! I rarely have rust, just that wilting syndrome...I am going to order A. Episcopale (the climbing one) and see how it behaves....