“I’ve noticed that some of my Purple Coneflowers are blooming green. What could be causing this? Is it a sign of disease?” – Mindy
Answer:
Yes, Mindy, it sounds like your plants might be affected by a condition known as aster yellows. This disease is caused by a type of bacteria called phytoplasma, which is spread by leafhoppers. It can infect over 300 different plant species, including asters, chrysanthemums, zinnias, marigolds, and, unfortunately, Purple Coneflowers.
The main symptoms are flowers with unusual green petals or greenish stalks sprouting from the center of the cone. It can look quite strange and concerning. Sadly, there is no cure for aster yellows.
The disease affects the entire plant, and there’s no spray or treatment that will save it. Infected plants will slowly wither and die. The best course of action is to remove the affected plants from your garden and dispose of them properly. This will help prevent the leafhoppers from spreading the phytoplasma to other nearby plants.
Grumpy’s Gardening Gripe of the Week:
It seems like every time you turn around, someone’s trying to sell you bizarre, AI-generated plants online—bright red Hostas, glowing roses, strawberries that are the wrong shade of blue, and even orchids with funny faces! It’s all part of the ever-growing trend of artificial intelligence messing with nature.
But who would actually buy into these strange claims? Apparently, quite a few people, given how many sales are happening. But next time you see something like this, take a moment to think: Have I ever seen a plant like this before? If not, maybe it’s time to ask yourself if it’s really worth the risk of ordering one.
