Troubleshooting
White Campion problems — and how to fix them
White Campion (Silene latifolia) is generally low-drama, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Anther smut (Microbotryum violaceum)
A specialist fungal pathogen that replaces floral anthers with dark spores; infected plants cannot set seed and act as a reservoir of infection — remove and bin affected plants immediately.
Powdery mildew in late summer
Mildew appears as a white powdery coating on leaves in warm, dry weather, especially where air circulation is poor; improve spacing and avoid overhead watering to reduce incidence.
Prevent white campion problems before they start
Most white campion issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
White Campion problems — FAQ
Why is my white campion anther smut (microbotryum violaceum)?
A specialist fungal pathogen that replaces floral anthers with dark spores; infected plants cannot set seed and act as a reservoir of infection — remove and bin affected plants immediately.
Why is my white campion powdery mildew in late summer?
Mildew appears as a white powdery coating on leaves in warm, dry weather, especially where air circulation is poor; improve spacing and avoid overhead watering to reduce incidence.