Purple Coneflowers starting to look like Blackeye Susans?

[robert payer]

I new that heading would grab yah.

The eye of many flowers are becoming black, hence our thread title. What is happening? The Ortho Problem solver had no such listing. Checked some other books and they did not state any condition that is related to this purple Echinacea. Cone turns black and patches of seeds seem to fall out. Happens mostly to the newest smaller flowers. Please help if you can. I rely on these to attract and feed Gold Finches and bring Butterflies.

Trivial Purple Cone Flower knowledge as thanks:

Used for medicinal purposes, even ward off colds.
Grows from Ohio to Iowa and as far south as Georgia and Mississippi.
Looks great planted with Crocosmia or Butterfly weed.
Lots of seeds to feed birds.
Gold Finches go crazy for these.
Never requires fertilization.
Leave dried flower heads on plant for winter intrest.
Normally no specific problems with these plants.

Thank You in advance for your intrerest and attempting to answer this thread.

[1MajorTom]

Maybe it's Botrytis?


Take a look at this site to see these pics and see if any of them look like what is happening to yours.
If so, it recommends that the plant be destroyed.

http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/focus/per_echinacea.html

[robert payer]

Major Tom,
I will investigate the problem with your insight tonight. Headed to the dentist now. Destroy my favorite plant? Well on the bright side I have many Cone flowers here at home.

Tom you started this site I think? If so Thank You also for this Lawnsite!

[paul]

Lawnsite was started by Chuck Keough, 1Major Tom is a moderator here.

[robert payer]

Looks like mites. Learned some new stuff with your post Major Tom.

Thanks Guys!