Extreme summer heat spells trouble for autumn plants
Summer’s prolonged droughts and extreme temperatures have made plants more vulnerable to common problems, with the Royal Horticultural Society anticipating an increase in certain fungi and insects in the coming months.
The charity is urging gardeners to be ‘more vigilant’ for plant problems this autumn, particularly those caused by honey fungus and glasshouse thrips.
Honey fungus (Armillaria sp) is described by the RHS as the ‘most destructive fungal disease in UK gardens’. It spreads underground, attacking and killing the roots of perennial plants.
Honey fungus can be more aggressive when susceptible plants have experienced heat and drought stress so gardeners should look for the most characteristic symptom – white fungal growth between the bark and wood, usually at ground level. Clumps of honey-coloured mushrooms sometimes appear briefly on infected stumps too.
