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Mites or Aster Yellows? #876975

Asked July 12, 2024, 12:40 PM EDT

Hello! I noticed my cultivar Magnus Purple Coneflower is looking odd this season. Part of it is spindly and half of the blooms are all green. Does this seem like mites or aster yellows? Wondering if it's best to remove the whole plant or just cut away the affected areas. Thank you!

Clay County Minnesota

Expert Response

Good Morning Laura, 

Thank you for contacting the U of M Extension Service. 

From viewing your photos, it does appear to be aster yellows: https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/aster-yellows

Above is a link about aster yellows. 

Here is another link about spider mites: https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/spider-mites

Good Luck!



Maureen Graber Replied July 13, 2024, 7:59 AM EDT
Do I need to wait to replant in the same spot once the infected plant is removed? 

Laura Caroon

On Jul 13, 2024, at 6:59 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied July 16, 2024, 2:09 PM EDT

Laura, 

If you read through the information on the weblink it states: 

Cultural controls

  • Completely remove infected plants from the garden. Once a plant is infected with aster yellows, there is no way to cure it. This can be difficult but is a necessary step to saving other susceptible plants from becoming infected.
  • Because aster yellows does not survive in dead plant tissue, there are a couple of disposal options for infected plants.

You should remove the plant and the roots. Read the cultural controls section. You should be able to plant another plant in the same area. 

Good Luck!


Maureen Graber Replied July 18, 2024, 7:40 AM EDT
Thank you!
On Thu, Jul 18, 2024 at 6:40 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied July 18, 2024, 2:23 PM EDT

You are welcome!

Maureen Graber Replied July 18, 2024, 9:14 PM EDT

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