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Pest/Larvae on Burning Hearts Heliopsis #870767

Asked May 30, 2024, 12:56 PM EDT

I had 5 new heliopsis helianthoides 2 years ago. Last year they had a red and black beetle I believe was a “false milkweed bug”. Two of the 5 plants deteriorated. I sprayed them heavily with neem oil throughout the season. This year as they were coming up, I sprayed sevin hoping to avoid the issue and kill any larva. The same two plants look sickly and new growth is wilting/dying in the middle of the plant. I pulled up some old stalks and there are small fuzzy balls attached to the roots and in the soil surrounding it. I don’t see anything else under the leaves or stalks currently. I live down the street from CCE and can bring in a sample but attached are pictures.

Broome County New York

Expert Response

missed a picture, so adding it here

The Question Asker Replied May 30, 2024, 1:04 PM EDT

missed a picture, so adding it here

The Question Asker Replied May 30, 2024, 8:54 PM EDT

Hello Kelly,

Thank you for your question. after looking through resources I feel it's hard to accurately diagnose what's going on with your heliopsis helianthoides. The false milkweed beetles shouldn't pose a huge problem to the plant and overall the plants are disease and pest resistant. 

If you want further diagnosis the problem you can submit samples to our office at 840 Front Street for a fee. You'll need to wrap the sample loosely in an unsealed plastic bag and also pack roots separate from branches, shoots, or foliage. The sample should be taken from an area that has early symptoms of the problem. Areas that are completely dead often contain secondary organisms that may hinder detection of the primary pathogen.

Lora

An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 31, 2024, 10:02 AM EDT

Hello Kelly,

Thank you for dropping off the sample on 5/31/24.  This appears to be a vascular issue, so damage to the water and nutrient conducting tissues of the plant and right at the crown (where the roots meet the stems).  It could be caused by a shoot/root boring insect or it could be caused by a fungal pathogen, or both. The lack of roots on the stem samples provided lead me to assume a fungus.

  There is mold present but that could be a secondary saprophytic type.  Excessively wet conditions can favor crown rots, especially plants like Ox Eye Daisy that require well drained soils.  I see you have a gravel mulch down, but what is the soil like underneath - is there a lot of clay content?  Also, does the driveway slope toward this border?  We had excessive rainfall and unfrozen ground all winter which makes conditions right for crown rots.

The situation may correct itself as the soil dries out more.  Should it continue, you may want to consider renovating the bed, adding organic matter to the soil to improve the drainage.

Let us know if you have further questions.

Linda Svoboda
Horticulture Program Educator
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County
840 Upper Front Street Ste. 1
Binghamton, New York 13905-1566
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An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 03, 2024, 12:28 PM EDT

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