Is this aster yellows? - Ask Extension
My cone flowers don’t look right. They are shorter than what I recall, although they were nibbled by rabbits a while ago which could explain that (...
Knowledgebase
Is this aster yellows? #872981
Asked June 13, 2024, 2:55 PM EDT
My cone flowers don’t look right. They are shorter than what I recall, although they were nibbled by rabbits a while ago which could explain that (although not all were nibbled). But almost all the flower heads look wrong. The leaves on most plants look good, but a couple have purple edges and one has distinctly curled leaves.
I took out a few last year that I thought had it, but I was slow about it because I just wasn’t sure. I don’t want to keep these if they’re diseased because I do have some asters at the other end of the bed. But I also don’t want to take them out if II’m just being paranoid.
Queen Anne's County Maryland
Expert Response
The closer-to-opening bud looks normal to us, and they all look too soon to tell.
The purplish leaf color is potentially an indicator of minor abiotic stress, but not Aster Yellows (nor is the leaf curl, which is also minor).
Overall, wait and just watch them as they come into bloom, bearing in mind that some cone deformities can be caused by mites, and not only aster yellows.
Emily
Thanks. I think I need to stay off Facebook!!
Pat
On Friday, June 14, 2024 at 11:20:42 AM EDT, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Facebook gardening forums can be really helpful and we understand your concern and wanting to check!
Let us know if anything changes and we can review again.
Emily
