What is wrong with my alumroot (Heuchera)?

Are the leaves of your alumroot yellowing, wilting and, dying?

Are the leaves covered with white powder?

Are the flowers covered with gray mold?

Do the leaves and stems have white, cottony clusters on them?

Are the leaves stippled, reddish or yellowish with fine webbing?

Are the leaf margins notched, roots are damaged?

Are there small tan, sunken areas formed on leaf tips and margins, spots become dry and dull black?

Yellow leaves that wilt and die usually indicate root rot disease. Poorly drained, overly wet soil promotes rot so choose well-drained sites and add organic matter to improve drainage. Remove and destroy infected plants. Solarize the soil before replanting.

White, powdery patches on the leaves are caused by a fungal disease Powdery mildew. Powdery mildew usually appears in damp places. Encourage good air circulation around the affected plants by thining them and any surrounding plants. Water plants from below to keep foliage dry. Any affected leaves should be cut off and removed. The appropriate fungicidal spray will protect your plant from further infections.

Likely cause for these symptoms is a fungal disease - Botrytis blight. Other symptoms include brown to black spots that may appear on leaves and petals. You can only prevent Botrytis blight disease by planting in areas with good air circulation. Water plants sparsely. Infected plants should be removed. Spray weekly with a copper fungicide until the disease is under control.

White, cottony clusters on leaves and stems are caused by mealybugs. These tiny insects are covered with a fluffy white coating. They feed by sucking plants sap. They produce the sticky substance honeydew which makes leaves sticky. You can control them by washing them off the plant with water spray. Insecticidal soap should be used with severe infestations.

Reddish to yellowish flecks on leaves and webbed foliage indicate spider mites. These tiny, spider-like pests feed by sucking sap from the underside of the plant leaves causing yellow flecking on the upper leaf surfaces. You can control spider mites by spraying plants thoroughly with water 2-3 times a day for several days. For severe infestations, spray plants with insecticidal soap, or pyrethrin as a last resort.

Black Vine Weevil (Otiorhynchus sp.) is a large beetle whose adults and larvae feed on alumroot. Beetles and larvas are very stubborn and occur especially in dry and raw humus-rich soils. Place flowerpots filled with wood wool near falling plants. The beetles will accumulate in the pot and then they can be collected and destroyed. The larvas can be fought most effectively with parasitic nematodes.

These symptoms indicate Foliar nematodes. These microscopic roundworms overwinter in soil or plant debris, then travel up a plant's stem in the film of water created by spring rains. Remove and destroy infested plants and the surrounding soil and do not compost the debris. Rotate plantings and mulch in spring to keep nematodes from climbing up plants. Avoid wetting leaves when watering.

If the leaves are chewed the culprits may be rabbits. Damage is similar to deer damage but not usually as extensive. Use a hot pepper wax spray or rabbit repellent.