Last summer (2023) in Montana zone 4, I had a large area of long established creeping juniper and several established sulphur buckwheat plants suddenly die. My first thought was that they had been overwatered; however, both of these plants have been established and well-growing for many years and I don't believe that the moisture they received was significantly different than that of any other year in the last decade. Does anyone have any idea if there was some kind of disease or infestation going around that could have caused this?
Established plants dying
- Thread starter mattpj1
- Start date
Did you have unusual weather conditions last year? My first thoughts were fungal issues, which can wipe out junipers.
Although they really like chalky soils, they tolerate acid soils as well. Extremes of temperature is all I can think of without investigating from close quarters.
Welcome to the forums.
Although they really like chalky soils, they tolerate acid soils as well. Extremes of temperature is all I can think of without investigating from close quarters.
Welcome to the forums.
You probably need a soil test for contamination.
If some plants were diseased and you added their remains to your compost that can cause problems.
Neighbors' spraying herbicide can cause it.
Sorry to hear it has taken out such a large area, but nature will bounce back. Try planting the area in broad beans and see if they succeed.
Welcome.