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Aster Yellows #877642

Asked July 17, 2024, 2:03 PM EDT

Hi there, I'm wondering if this is Aster Yellows. These giant coneflowers put out normal flowers early in the year then, after wind blew off some petals, put out multiple heads. The leaves are also light yellow with green veins, indicative of aster yellows. I also noticed some gray headed coneflower and joe pyeweed, planted at the same time nearby, not being productive or as productive as plants planted later in the year with yellow leaves. 

Jefferson County Louisiana

Expert Response

This is not what I would expect from aster yellows. Often the heads of infected coneflowers will produce abnormal leaf growth. The petals will frequently be almost a lite lime green color. The one leaf that you are holding in the image has old skins of aphids (white "ghost" aphids) and sooty mold that grew on honeydew produced by the aphids. The other image of foliage may be the result of a disease but one that I can diagnose from the image. The plant, roots and all, need to be taken to a plant clinic for analysis. Contact your local extension office for assistance in getting samples to the LSU plant diagnostic clinic. Your local extension office there is Jefferson Parish is located at the following address and telephone number: 
101 Efferson Hall
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
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Here is a link to an article on aster yellows: https://bygl.osu.edu/node/1634
An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 17, 2024, 2:58 PM EDT
This is extremely helpful. Thank you so much! I was super worried. 
On Wed, Jul 17, 2024 at 1:58 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied July 22, 2024, 10:21 PM EDT
You are welcome.
An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 23, 2024, 10:00 AM EDT

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