Troubleshooting
Dahlia 'Mrs Eileen' problems — and how to fix them
Dahlia 'Mrs Eileen' (Dahlia 'Mrs Eileen') is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Powdery mildew
Appears as white coating on leaves in late summer; improve spacing and apply a potassium bicarbonate spray.
Aphids
Attack soft growing tips; wash off with a strong jet of water or use insecticidal soap.
Botrytis
Grey mould on flowers and stems in cool, wet conditions; remove affected parts and improve air circulation.
Tuber rot
Overwatering or poor drainage causes tuber decay; ensure free-draining soil and lift before frost in cold areas.
Capsid bug
Feeding on buds and leaves causes distorted growth with brown spots; treat with a pyrethrin-based insecticide.
Prevent dahlia 'mrs eileen' problems before they start
Most dahlia 'mrs eileen' issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Dahlia 'Mrs Eileen' problems — FAQ
Why is my dahlia 'mrs eileen' powdery mildew?
Appears as white coating on leaves in late summer; improve spacing and apply a potassium bicarbonate spray.
Why is my dahlia 'mrs eileen' aphids?
Attack soft growing tips; wash off with a strong jet of water or use insecticidal soap.
Why is my dahlia 'mrs eileen' botrytis?
Grey mould on flowers and stems in cool, wet conditions; remove affected parts and improve air circulation.
Why is my dahlia 'mrs eileen' tuber rot?
Overwatering or poor drainage causes tuber decay; ensure free-draining soil and lift before frost in cold areas.
Why is my dahlia 'mrs eileen' capsid bug?
Feeding on buds and leaves causes distorted growth with brown spots; treat with a pyrethrin-based insecticide.