Echinacia with aster yellows? - Ask Extension
This plant has full seed heads but few petals . Is it aster yellows? Should I pull it out. Nearby echinacia are flowering normally.
Knowledgebase
Echinacia with aster yellows? #875787
Asked July 03, 2024, 11:21 AM EDT
This plant has full seed heads but few petals . Is it aster yellows? Should I pull it out. Nearby echinacia are flowering normally.
Montgomery County Maryland
Expert Response
Hi,
This does not appear to be aster yellows. It looks like the petals were chewed off by any number of insects. Beetles, slugs, snails, grasshoppers, earwigs etc - many different things could have eat the petals.
They look healthy otherwise. You could leave them still for the pollen and seed heads for beneficial insects and birds.
If you notice different symptoms, feel free to send in additional photos.
Emily