While issues with coneflowers rarely occur, you can easily avoid most coneflower problems by planting them in well-draining soil and providing them with adequate growing room. Infected plants should be removed and destroyed. Flowers become distorted, turn green in color, exhibit stunted growth, and may even die. Aster yellows – Aster yellows is a disease that is most often transmitted through insects or poor growing conditions that make plants more susceptible.This can be easily avoided by providing adequate air circulation proper spacing as well as keeping moisture to a minimum. Powdery mildew – Problems with powdery mildew usually occur due to overly moist conditions and lack of airflow.Stem rot – Stem rot normally results from overwatering, as these plants are quite tolerant of drought-like conditions and require less watering than many other plants.Stem rot, powdery mildew, and aster yellows are the most common coneflower diseases. Hot pepper wax sprays can oftentimes deter rabbit damage by making the foliage less appealing. This is usually more of a problem on young plants, however, as rabbits thoroughly enjoy the young shoots and seedlings. In addition to insects, coneflowers can also be attacked by rabbits. Treatment of these insect pests can usually be achieved with insecticidal soap sprays, handpicking beetles, and the removal of affected plant parts. Damage can be recognized by stunted growth and distorted flowers. Eriophyid mites – Eriophyid mites live and feed on the insides of flower buds.They will quickly destroy plants by feeding on foliage and flowers, starting at the top and working down. Japanese beetles – Japanese beetles feed in groups and can usually be spotted around June. Echinacea Germination Information For best results, sow indoors covering the seeds with four times their thickness in soil Maintain a temperature of 70-75 F.
In large masses, they can quickly overwhelm and kill plants. Aphids – Aphids, like whiteflies, will suck the nutrients from plants.Sweet potato whiteflies can also transfer diseases, such as vector viruses. In addition, you may see leaf yellowing and shredding. Oftentimes, the presence of these pests results in the growth of black sooty mold. You dont want to transplant the seedlings outdoors until the weather has warmed up for.