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Flower sickness #806551

Asked August 16, 2022, 1:01 PM EDT

Hello! My calendula, cosmos, zinnias, poppies, and some other flowers have been getting sick this season. The stem beneath the flower gets brown and dry, and then the flower droops and dries out. I have also notices a dark fungus that seems to be covering the seed pods. When I crumble it the seeds turn to black dust. It's a mystery to me! Hopefully I haven't just been spreading the problem every time I crumble a seed pod. The first photo is of a calendula flower, the second photo is of calendula seed pods, the third photo is of a poppy seed pod. Thank you for your help!

Chittenden County Vermont

Expert Response

Hello Lauren: The plant pathologist took a look at your photos, and here is her response. 

I am not sure.. weird that it is different species. I would make
sure there is no borer in there. Also, sometimes insects can oviposit into stems causing a dieback. Also, wind whip can damage stems and secondary fungi can move in. Otherwise, I would guess it is a botrytis fungal disease. It would attack a range of plants. Have they been overhead watering? Does it appear to follow rainy weather? Are the flowers overcrowded? 
Ann
An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 19, 2022, 1:33 PM EDT

Thank you, Lisa! This could be a result of overhead watering and overcrowding. I was wondering if it’s related to the thing that’s been happening to raspberries, where the tip of the plant goes brown and withers?

 

Hope you had a good weekend!

Lauren

 

From: <askextension=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Extension Foundation <<personal data hidden>>
Date: Friday, August 19, 2022 at 1:33 PM
To: Lauren Akin <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Flower sickness (#0076482)

 

The Question Asker Replied August 22, 2022, 11:34 AM EDT
Hi Lauren: The plant pathologist would have provided info. on that if she thought that could be the problem.   Lisa
An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 22, 2022, 11:56 AM EDT

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